The biggest Chanukah merch fails of the season — part 1
We’ve written before about Rabbi Yael Buechler, who is the Lower School rabbi and outreach coordinator at the Leffell School (until recently the Solomon Schechter School of Westchester) by day, and the rest of the time brings her Jewish creativity to such projects as Midrash Manicures and Shabbat pajamas. Recently, she has collected some of this season’s valiant yet troubled efforts to integrate Chanukah into the commercial holiday supply chains, and she has displayed them both on her Instagram channel and in this report she wrote for Kveller. In the spirit of extending the celebration, we are running the first part of her report this week, with the rest to follow next week.
As a rabbi and Chanukah pajama-maker, this season is the most wonderful time of the year for me. I love seeing Chanukah items pop up in store aisles, endcaps and checkout areas. The Chanukah market has grown so much these past few years, but we’ve discovered that more merch means more…mishaps (like the epic “Happy Tuchus” Sukkot treat box that kicked off this season of mistakes).
So far, I’ve been to 30 stores to peruse (and OK, judge) their Chanukah offerings (I post each visit on Instagram) and spend way too much time looking at Chanukah items online, and unfortunately, I’ve come across a lot of errors.
I definitely appreciate the efforts of brands — both large and small — to include Chanukah in their holiday collections. My immigrant ancestors would never have dreamed of dreidel pillows in the aisles of mainstream department stores or that even reptiles would be included in the Chanukah fun! Maybe by next Chanukah, more companies will, at the very least, run their Chanukah merch by someone who knows about Chanukah or basic Hebrew.
Here are the top four most questionable Chanukah offerings this year. As I say at the end of my Chanukah shopping videos this season, “Thanks for trying!”
1. Chanukah Nutcracker
This wooden Chanukah nutcracker from Target is 14 inches tall!
WHAT WORKS: Love his little blue velvet kippah, and the fact that he’s holding a dreidel.
WHAT DOESN’T: The only letter on the dreidel (on all four sides) is SHIN, so… there’s no way to win! Also, his menorah is missing six candles and looks very much like a pitchfork (perhaps he assisted Judah and the Maccabees?).
This Chanukah nutcracker is also available at Michael’s and JCPenney with… two more candles! Only four more to go.
2. Dreidel Surprise Balls
I was surprised to see such a large Chanukah display at Barnes & Noble this year, which includes these adorable “Dreidel Surprise Balls,” made by Paper Source.
WHAT WORKS: These dreidels have correct Hebrew letters on them (unlike the recent West Elm Chanukah garland fail).
WHAT DOESN’T: Only two out of the four Hebrew letters are actually on the dreidel (gimel and shin for the win!). Chet and chaf are great Hebrew letters, but do not belong on the dreidel. Whoops!
SPECIAL MENTION: The “Challah-Hanukkiah” underneath it is so cute. How cute would that be as a Shabbat candlestick holder?
3. Chanukah Bakery Food Set
West Elm has had a bumpy Chanukah season this year. I’m grateful that they swiftly took down a felt Chanukah garland with made-up Hebrew letters on it.
This felt Chanukah bakery food set from West Elm includes sufganiyot (jelly donuts), wrapped gelt, a paper bag with a Jewish star on it and a challah.
WHAT WORKS: This set, and the jelly donuts especially, are adorable! The gelt is “on-theme” with Chanukah, although it’s not something that would be typically produced in a bakery…
WHAT DOESN’T: Including challah in a Chanukah-themed set feels a bit extra. Once again: There is no connection between challah and Chanukah! How about some latkes, with sour cream and applesauce as sides? Or go wild and make some dreidel cake pops? Or even a set of Hanukkiah sprinkle cookies?
4. Chanukah T-Shirt
Macy’s is coming in strong with a chic, wintery Chanukah shirt.
WHAT WORKS: I like the delicate chain detail and this shirt mostly pulls off the Chanukah theme. They’ve included some great Chanukah symbols, like the menorah, Jewish star, a dreidel, a present, snowflakes and….wait…
WHAT DOESN’T: A Torah scroll?! Hanging off its side?? As indicated by the collective gasp you’ll hear in any synagogue when the Torah gets jostled or almost falls, we honor the Torah by keeping it upright (except for when we’re reading it in the synagogue on a table), and never let it touch the ground. Sideways Torahs are just not a thing. Also, Chanukah is not mentioned in the Torah.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
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