UChicago's Annual Latke-Hamantash Debate

The Latke-Hamantash Debate has been a cherished UChicago tradition since 1946, rigorously questioning the merits of the festive foodstuffs of Hanukkah and Purim. For the past 78, years, the Latke-Hamantash Debate has reveled in ornate silliness while featuring prominent faculty, Nobel laureates and UChicago presidents. The tongue-in-cheek proceedings have inspired similar debates across the country, and even a book published by the University of Chicago Press. In 2025, members of the University of Chicago community argued for the superiority of potato pancakes versus cookies—this time, by asking the question “What's trending now?” The event, hosted by the University of Chicago Hillel, took place in the illustrious Rockefeller Memorial Chapel where UChicago Hillel had its first ever meeting in the 1940s. Presenters included Dr. Seth Himmelhoch, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience; Dr. Sheila Jelen, Professor in the Divinity School; and Dr. Jon Rogowski, Pro

The Latke-Hamantash Debate has been a cherished UChicago tradition since 1946, rigorously questioning the merits of the festive foodstuffs of Hanukkah and Purim. For the past 77, years, the Latke-Hamantash Debate has reveled in ornate silliness while featuring prominent faculty, Nobel laureates and UChicago presidents. The tongue-in-cheek proceedings have inspired similar debates across the country, and even a book published by the University of Chicago Press. In 2024, members of the University of Chicago community argued for the superiority of potato pancakes versus cookies—this time, by asking the question “Can Artificial Intelligence through chat GPT answer the question once and for all?” The March 24 event, hosted by the University of Chicago Hillel, took place in Mandel Hall. Presenters included Borja Sotomayor, who teaches computer science, software development, computer networks, and distributed systems; Terry Johnson, who teaches courses in Molecular Engineering; and Professor

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—took place virtually on Dec. 2 2021. 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. Read more: ➡ Subscribe: Abou

Every November at the University of Chicago, the best minds in the world consider the question that ranks with these as one of the most enduring of human history: latke or hamantash? This great latke-hamantash debate, occurring every year for the past six decades, brings Nobel laureates, university presidents, and notable scholars together to debate whether the potato pancake or the triangular Purim pastry is in fact the worthier food. This year, we bring a taste of the debate to Uncommon Core. The Debate is hosted and organized by the University of Chicago Hillel. ➡ Subscribe: About #UChicago: Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has been a destination for rigorous inquiry and field-defining research. This transformative academic experience empowers students and scholars to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. #UChicago on the Web: Home: News: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: University of Chicago on YouTube: /uchicago *** ACCESSIBILITY: If you e

Latkes vs Hamantash? Which Jewish delicacy will reign supreme? Every year scholars at the University of Chicago debate this eternal question. As always, the results are humorous and delicious. ➡ Subscribe: About #UChicago: Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has been a destination for rigorous inquiry and field-defining research.This transformative academic experience empowers students and scholarsto challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. #UChicago on the Web: Home: News: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: University of Chicago on YouTube: /uchicago *** ACCESSIBILITY: If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or would like to make an accessibility-related request, please email digicomm@uchicago.edu.

More than 60 years after the first Latke-Hamantash Debate at the University of Chicago, the University community came together once again at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12 in Mandel Hall to weigh the merits of the two Jewish foods. The tongue-in-cheek event invites distinguished scholars to make a case for the superiority of either latkes (fried potato pancakes traditionally prepared for Hanukkah) or hamantashen (triangular, jam-filled cookies eaten during Purim), and has been a mainstay of campus life since 1946. ➡ Subscribe: About #UChicago: Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has been a destination for rigorous inquiry and field-defining research.This transformative academic experience empowers students and scholarsto challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. #UChicago on the Web: Home: News: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: University of Chicago on YouTube: /uchicago *** ACCESSIBILITY: If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or

The Latke-Hamantash Debate has been a University of Chicago tradition since 1946. UChicago faculty members apply the knowledge and tools of their disciplines to resolve this age-old question in an evening of fun and frivolity! Past participants have included Nobel Prize winners and University presidents. This year's debate is brought to you by the brothers of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. AEPi is the International Jewish fraternity with hundreds of chapters across five countries. The debate is supported by the Spiritual Life Office at Rockefeller Chapel and Campus and Student Life, along with Jewish community organizations on campus. ➡ Subscribe: About #UChicago: Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has been a destination for rigorous inquiry and field-defining research.This transformative academic experience empowers students and scholarsto challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. #UChicago on the Web: Home: News: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram:

Each year the University of Chicago hosts this legendary event, where faculty teams line up in fierce but fun-loving defense of either the latke or the hamantash, attempting to determine once and for all which is the better Jewish food. The debaters at the November 25, 2014, event are Aaron Dinner, Professor, Department of Chemistry; Wendy Doniger, the Mircea Eliade Distinguished Service Professor, Divinity School; Austan Goolsbee, the Robert P. Gwinn Professor of Economics, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; Jeffrey Harvey, the Enrico Fermi Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Physics; Diane Herrmann, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics; and Malynne Sternstein, Associate Professor, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. Shmuel Weinberger, Professor and Chair, Department of Mathematics, moderates; and Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, Professor, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, is the master of ceremonies. ➡ Subscribe: About #UChicago:

The 2016 Latke-Hamantash Debate has been a University of Chicago tradition since 1946. UChicago faculty members apply the knowledge and tools of their disciplines to resolve this age-old question in an evening of fun and frivolity! Past participants have included Nobel Prize winners and University presidents. Spectators gathered in Mandel Hall for yet another attempt to resolve this question once and for all. Featuring: Hal Weitzman, Daniel Hemel, Ioana Marinescu, Anthony Fowler ➡ Subscribe: About #UChicago: Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has been a destination for rigorous inquiry and field-defining research.This transformative academic experience empowers students and scholarsto challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. #UChicago on the Web: Home: News: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: University of Chicago on YouTube: /uchicago *** ACCESSIBILITY: If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or would like to make an accessibilit

The Latke-Hamantash Debate has been a University of Chicago tradition since 1946. UChicago faculty members apply the knowledge and tools of their disciplines to resolve this age-old question in an evening of fun and frivolity! Past participants have included Nobel Prize winners and University presidents. Spectators gathered in Mandel Hall for yet another attempt to resolve this question once and for all. ➡ Subscribe: About #UChicago: Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has been a destination for rigorous inquiry and field-defining research.This transformative academic experience empowers students and scholarsto challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. #UChicago on the Web: Home: News: Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: University of Chicago on YouTube: /uchicago *** ACCESSIBILITY: If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or would like to make an accessibility-related request, please email digicomm@uchicago.edu.