Disney Junior’s Hanukkah episodes aim to introduce the holiday with ‘joy and love’

As a lifelong cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of cinema, I find myself utterly enamored with the recent trend of diverse representation in children’s programming, particularly within Disney Junior’s offerings like “Mickey Mouse Funhouse” and “Spidey and His Amazing Friends.” Growing up, my own family was a beautiful blend of cultures and traditions, much like Phil Weinstein’s, which made every holiday season an exciting adventure filled with shared stories, laughter, and love.

As a child, Phil Weinstein, the executive producer of “Mickey Mouse Funhouse,” would observe and celebrate not just one but two festivals – Christmas and Hanukkah.

As a film enthusiast, I’d say, “In my family, my uncle’s household was unique. During the festive season, we’d often visit them, where they’d combine traditions by having both a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah menorah. It was quite something, truly special.

In the classic “Mickey” show, an episode titled “Hanukkah at Hilda’s” brings back a cherished memory from childhood. This is one of the initial episodes that highlights the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah. The show airs on Disney Junior from December 6th. Here, Mickey Mouse and his friends find themselves stuck in a snowstorm at Hilda’s house, where they discover that she celebrates Hanukkah. In the spirit of both winter holidays, they bake Christmas cookies and sufganiyot, which are jelly-filled doughnuts traditionally eaten during Hanukkah.

Since its debut in 2021, “Mickey Mouse Funhouse” has featured a variety of culturally significant holidays such as Nochebuena, a Christmas Eve tradition among Latinos; Chuseok, the Korean holiday; Día de Muertos, and Vardavar, an Armenian celebration. As Weinstein explains, our show embodies a stairway to anywhere, symbolizing creativity. Creativity has the power to transport us beyond boundaries, and as we delved deeper into the series, we recognized that this doesn’t only apply to fantastical destinations they visit. We can also celebrate real-world events like Hanukkah and Nochebuena.

The shared values of ethos are evident in the Disney Junior shows celebrating Jewish holidays this season. For instance, an upcoming episode of “Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends,” titled “Hanukkah Heist,” premiering Dec. 3, features Spidey and the Thing helping Aunt Petunia safeguard her cherished latkes from villains like Rhino and the Green Goblin. Becca Topol, the story editor and co-producer of “Spidey,” explains that the Thing’s character, being Jewish, made it fitting to tell a story centered around his perspective. Despite his tough exterior, the Thing has a tender side when it comes to family, traditions, and things he holds dear.

The hook of the story is that all the bad guys want Aunt Petunia’s latkes because they are so delicious. Aunt Petunia’s secret ingredient, in addition to the potatoes, oil, salt and onions, is love. “I know that’s true for people in other religions, that the food always ends up being so closely connected to the celebration of holidays,” Topol says. “The real beauty of the episode is that I think audience members can connect with it whether they are Jewish or not. It is the togetherness of the family and the really close relationship that the Thing has with his aunt.”

Topol emphasizes that during her Hanukkah festivities, there’s always someone who hasn’t tried a latke yet. She explains, “Each culture boasts food they take great pride in, and this dish is one such example. By savoring it, you gain insights into Jewish culture and traditional Hanukkah customs, fostering a deeper connection.” She adds, “By using Spider-Man as an entry point for our audience, we can make the specific universal and more relatable on a broader scale.

Keith Harrison Dworkin, writer of ‘SuperKitties’ song, penned ‘Hanukkah Lights’ for the upcoming ‘Hanukkah Rescue’ episode airing on Dec. 4. The story revolves around the brave kittens illuminating the menorah. For Dworkin, who was brought up in a Jewish family, the act of reciting the prayer and participating in the menorah lighting ceremony is familiar. He explains, “The initial version of the song essentially stands in for the prayer during the ritual. Later in the episode, we hear the full, danceable, and joyful rendition of the song.

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Dworkin enjoys composing songs with a contemporary and relatable vibe since traditional Hebrew music may not always convey this feeling. The core lyric of his song expresses that “even when hope seems to fade away, we will persevere.” This line, he explains, encapsulates the essence of Hanukkah for him thematically. It’s about hope. In this specific instance, our goal is to instruct children that cultural diversity is beneficial and Hanukkah is a significant, valuable, and beautiful aspect of the holiday season. Sharing such an uplifting message is truly delightful.

In each installment, they take care to educate their younger viewers about Hanukkah’s significance. Last year, “Spidey” featured Rosh Hashanah, a collaboration between Topol and Tanenbaum, a nonprofit organization, as well as Disney Junior’s in-house education and inclusivity team.

Topol suggests making complex topics accessible for our audience. He explains, “What’s the best approach when dealing with something intricate? We aimed to delve deep into its essence, the wondrous spectacle of lights. Presenting a holiday that might be unfamiliar or not widely celebrated, while infusing it with joy, love, family, and unity, is an excellent method to highlight those universal themes of celebration and spread even more happiness and joy around the globe.

While these programs are geared towards preschoolers, they serve as a platform to instill valuable and uplifting ideas in the impressionable minds of the viewers.

We’re all human, and it’s important to show each other kindness,” Weinstein explains. “Constantly, we strive to find ways to guide children in learning how to respect their peers.

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2024-11-22 14:31