Hallmark has four films (one premiering Dec. 13), each depicting the joys and traditions of Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah). These stories impart the fun and history of the eight-day Jewish holiday, which, this year, begins the night of Dec. 25 -- a good reminder that different traditions share this joyous holiday season.
While watching these movies. viewers also learn some Yiddish and Hebrew vocabulary.
Hanukkah on the Rocks (2024 - Hallmark Channel premiere December 13)
Tory (Stacey Farber) is a stressed-out Chicago lawyer, whose life changes when she is laid off. Jay (Daren Kagasoff) is a radiologist from Florida, who is back home in the Windy City to convince his grandfather Sam (Marc Summers) to move to the Sunshine State with the rest of his family.
Sam is not having any of it. He is happy in Chicago, with plenty of friends and a full and happy life.
Tory and Jay have a “meet cute” moment when both their grandparents send them looking for a specific brand of Hanukkah candles. They are the only “good” ones, according to the seniors. Unfortunately -- or fortunately -- there is only one box left in the store so Tory lets him have it.
Later Tory sees Jay enter Rocky’s bar and follows him in. What happens next is the fun of the film. Through circumstances unforeseen, Tory takes a job as the night bartender. She’ll tell her Bubbie (Marina Stephenson Kerr) and her parents about her job situation later. Much later.
Over the eight nights of Hanukkah Tory and Jay both transform the bar, and their grandparents' point of view.
The miracle of Hanukkah brings clarity to both Tory and Jay as they each realize they need to make changes in their lives to be happy. And, in true Hallmark fashion, one of the big changes is their relationship, which has been rocky at times (no pun intended).
This is not only a cute story, it has endearing characters and a good lesson about following your heart, wherever it leads. The movie is filled with the holiday spirit and spirits (pun intended).
Vocabulary lessons for those who do not know these words: “chutzpah” means boldness, “bubbie” means grandmother, “mishegas” means craziness, “schmendrick” means a foolish person, “bubala” means darling, “punim” means face, “yutz” is a foolish person, “putz” refers to a male body part and is used to refer to someone as an idiot, and “kichel” is an airy, crunchy Jewish cookie.
Eight Gifts of Hanukkah (2021 TV-G)
Optometrist Sarah (Inbar Lavi) loves the holiday of Hanukkah. Newly single, her friend sets her up on an online dating site. Most of the men are not to her liking, but Nigel (Oliver Rice), a Michelin Star chef, captures her interest. He is charming and attentive.
Sarah’s ex Paul (Michael Patrick Denis) begins to see her in a new light and wants to rekindle (no pun intended) their relationship but she’s apprehensive.
Tom (Amitai Marmorstein) works on the Hanukkah “Mazel Ball” committee with Sarah and shows his interest in her.
Then there is Daniel (Jake Epstein) who is like a second brother to her. Sarah and Daniel have shared everything since they were kids. He is kind, attentive, and desperately in love with her.
Every night during the eight nights of Hanukkah, Sarah receives an anonymous gift. Who could be sending her these incredibly thoughtful packages?
This story focuses on the fun of the holiday and Daniel’s frustration as he sees Sarah discombobulated about her mystery suitor.
Vocabulary: Mazel means “luck” and “Mazel Ball” is a play on words for “Matzo Ball," tasty morsels usually found floating in soup (also said "matzah").
Hanukkah on Rye (2022 TV-G)
One of the most entertaining Hanukkah movies features Molly (Yael Grobglas) and Jacob (Jeremy Jordan) in a story of tradition, family, and love.
Molly lives in New York and works in her family’s famous deli, which has been in the family for four generations. Jacob lives in Los Angeles and works in his family’s deli, which has been in his family for four generations. Both delis boast they make the best latkes (potato pancakes).
When Jacob is sent to New York to open an East Coast location, he bites off more than he can chew ... again, no pun intended.
His grandmother (a k a his Bubbie) and Molly’s Bubbie set the two up with the same matchmaker. To make things even more bashert (Jewish for “meant to be”), Jacob is renting an apartment in the same building where Molly and her family live -- each in three separate apartments.
The matchmaker insists her clients not meet but send handwritten letters back and forth, to get to know the heart and soul of the other person. While doing so, Molly falls in love with her penpal and Jacob falls for Molly.
Romantic complications ensue (of course, they do).
Threading through this storyline are Jewish dishes and traditions, songs and stories that bring viewers into the Jewish Hanukkah experience in a joyful way.
Love, Lights, Hanukkah! (2020 TV-G)
Christina (Mia Kirshner) is about to spend her first Christmas without her recently deceased mother. This is a difficult time for her, as she has also taken over their Italian restaurant.
Having been adopted as a baby, Christina decides to research her DNA. Lo and behold, it turns out she has relatives that live nearby.
Christina meets her newly discovered relatives: Becky, Scott, and Ruth (Marilu Henner). She also meets David (Ben Savage), who is almost part of their family, without the DNA.
When Ruth realizes Christina is the daughter she gave up for adoption, the family welcomes her with open arms. With Hanukkah approaching, they teach her all about her 50% heritage. Yes, she is half Jewish.
Christina is eager to discover all about her family and Jewish heritage and traditions.
As she does this, David helps guide her through this emotional time. She wants to embrace her Jewish family but at the same time does not want to betray the woman who raised her as her own.
The holiday is explained to Christina so she can feel part of her heritage and viewers learn about what makes Hanukkah a special time in the Jewish calendar.
After its Hallmark premiere, Hanukkah on the Rocks is available to stream on Hallmark+, and for a limited time, on Peacock. The other films are also on Hallmark+, and available to rent on other sites, such as Prime Video, YouTube, Apple+, etc.
Image: Hallmark Channel
Francine Brokaw is a longtime journalist whose articles have been published in national and international publications. She is accredited by the MPAA and is a long-standing member of the Television Critics Association. She also hosts Beyond the Red Carpet on YouTube.
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