The University of Chicago UChicago’s Latke-Hamantash Debate to celebrate 75th anniversary Participants in the annual Latke-Hamantash Debate often base their arguments in their own field of academic expertise. In 2013, economist Glen Weyl defended the latke, connecting it to population growth in 18th-century Europe. Photo by Robert Kozloff Dec. 2 event to reflect upon event’s rich history, continue humorous academic tradition Since 1946, University of Chicago scholars have vigorously debated the merits of two Jewish holiday foods: the latke, a potato fritter served at Hanukkah; and the hamantash, a triangular pastry served at Purim. This year’s Latke-Hamantash Debate—held 75 years after the first debate—will take place virtually at 7 p.m. CT on Dec. 2. Free registration is available at this link. Hosted by UChicago Hillel, the event will feature presentations by Sarah Hammerschlag, a professor of religion and literature, philosophy of religions and history of Judaism in the Divinity School; and Omri Ben-Shahar, the Leo and Eileen Herzel Professor of Law. Hammerschlag will represent the latke, and Ben-Shahar the hamantash. They will be joined by Adam Shaw, a professor in the Department of Computer Science, who will serve as a swing debater. The conclusion will be delivered by David Barak-Gorodetsky, a historian and scholar of Jewish thought who is currently a visiting fellow at the Divinity School from the University of Haifa in Israel. By Max Witynski Nov 30, 2021 Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print RECOMMENDED STORIES Latke or hamantash: The debate to save our planet Latke or Hamantash: Which is better for the environment? 1:02 Founded at UChicago in 1946, the Latke-Hamantash Debate has rigorously questioned the merits of the favored foodstuffs of Hanukkah and Purim every year. Video by UChicago Creative “There’s no limit to how much we can learn from our history: about ourselves, our future, who we want to be and how we want to build our world,” said Rabbi Anna Levin Rosen, the executive director of UChicago Hillel. “The core of Jewish tradition is knowing that the stories of our past inform who we are and who we can become.” The debate was established after World War II by UChicago historian Louis Gottschalk, anthropologist Sol Tax and Rabbi Maurice Pekarsky. Since then, it has explored themes ranging from the foods’ metaphysical implications to their carbon footprints. This year’s event coincides with a partnership between UChicago Hillel and the University of Chicago Library to digitize and archive existing magnetic recordings of earlier debates in the Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, along with ephemera from past events. Levin Rosen said that the debate is emblematic of the spirit of the University of Chicago, a community of scholars that pursues knowledge and engages in academic discourse. “The growing popularity and love for the debate proves that the core character of the University has not just been maintained, but is flourishing,” she said. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print NEWSLETTER Get more with UChicago News delivered to your inbox. RELATED TOPICS Latke-Hamantash Debate , Latke , Hamantash , Hillel Latest News Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering announces quantum science and engineering Ph.D. LATKE-HAMANTASH DEBATE UChicago’s Latke-Hamantash Debate to celebrate 75th anniversary NUDGES How much can you ‘nudge’ for good? Richard Thaler explores possibilities, limits ARTS BLOCK Arts + Public Life’s L1 Retail Store now open inside of historic first ‘L’ station CORE KNOWLEDGE How the Earth and moon formed, explained BIG BRAINS PODCAST Big Brains podcast: Unlocking the secrets of black holes, with Andrea Ghez REMEMBERING SHAOXIONG ‘DENNIS’ ZHENG UChicago community remembers Shaoxiong ‘Dennis’ Zheng in campus memorial View latest news Around UChicago TREE EQUITY What is tree equity? A new tool from UChicago data scientists is helping to transform neighborhood health EXECUTIVE ED Leadership program expands to labs across the country LAING AWARD UChicago Press awards top honor to Michael Rossi for ‘The Republic of Color’ PEARSON GLOBAL FORUM Nobel laureate explains how misinformation helped spur humanitarian catastrophe SAFETY & SECURITY UChicago, Chicago Police Department leaders reaffirm commitment to campus safety PUBLIC SAFETY UChicago leaders host safety webinar in response to recent incidents MEET A UCHICAGOAN “It’s a really thoughtful, heartfelt community of people.” —Ashlyn Sparrow COURT THEATRE In Othello, Court Theatre revisits Shakespeare by centering protagonist’s humanity University of Chicago Office of Communications 5801 S. Ellis Ave., Suite 120, Chicago, IL 60637 (773) 702-8360 news@uchicago.edu Office of Communications Staff Directory For Journalists Feedback Brand & Identity Guidelines