Santas From Around The World: Global- Hanukkah Harry (Advent 2020, Day 10)

Tonight will mark the first night of Hanukkah. As my wife is half-Jewish, the festival of lights is observed to some degree in this Madman’s household. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, finding gelts at our traditional shopping won’t happen as the long-time Durham, NC peddler, Morgan Imports closed its doors for good this Summer. Oh, don’t worry. We’ll find those chocolate coins.

Somewhere.

Hanukkah Harry was given life in December, 1990. Jon Lovitz appeared as the curmudgeon replacement for Santa. With Santa sick with a stomach flu, Hanukkah Harry takes over gifting all of the good little Christian boys and girls with gifts. Only these gifts are more noted for what Jewish kids receive during Hanukkah. Stuff like socks and slacks. At least Hanukkah Harry didn’t forget the gelts and a dreidel!

Hanukkah Harry is dressed like a traditional Rabbi. Only his hat is blue and lined with fur like Santas.

Harry’s workshop is located on Mount Sinai. Instead of a sleigh, this gift giver drives an old wooden cart, like they do in Fiddler on the Roof. And forget about reindeer. Hanukkah Harry has a trio of flying donkeys named Moische, Herschel and Schlomo. 

And if the Easter Bunny ever needs a substitute, Harry got no problems spreading cheer during Easter either. 

While a fictional creation of SNL, Hanukkah Harry has become a new addition to many Jewish families with some parents dressing up as the holiday grumpus to pass out Hannukah delights to boys and girls who stayed of the Kosher naughty list. With the character being referenced on several TV shows and recently deemed the personification of Hanukkah by NPR, it looks like Hanukkah Harry might just be here to stay!

By the way, we celebrators of all things Jewish do really eat cookies during Hanukkah. Due to the importance of oil in the story of the miracle of lights, a good ole fried donut does the trick for us! Here’s a recipe from Better Homes & Gardens for Sufganiyot- a jelly filled donut that is fairly easy to make.

Enjoy!

SUFGANIYOT

INGREDIENTS

• 1 scant tablespoon (1 package) dry yeast
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 cup lukewarm milk or warm water*
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 eggs, separated
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter or pareve margarine, softened*
• Apricot or strawberry preserves
• Sugar
• Vegetable oil for deep-frying
• *Use butter and milk if serving at a milk meal, and water and pareve margarine for a meat meal

PREPARATION

1. 1. Child: Mix together the yeast, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and the milk. Let sit to make sure it bubbles.
   2. Child: Sift the flour and mix it with the remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, egg yolks, and the yeast mixture.
   3. Adult with Child: Knead the dough until it forms a ball. Add the butter or margarine. Knead some more, until the butter is well absorbed. Cover with a towel and let rise overnight in the refrigerator.
   4. Adult: Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/8 inch.
   5. Child: Cut out the dough into 24 rounds with a juice glass, or any object about 2 inches in diameter. Take 1/2 teaspoon of preserves and place in center of 12 rounds. Top with the other 12. Press down at edges, sealing with egg whites. Crimping with the thumb and second finger is best. Let rise for about 30 minutes.
   6. Adult: Heat 2 inches of oil to about 375°. Drop the doughnuts into the hot oil, about 5 at a time. Turn to brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
   7. Child: Roll the doughnuts in sugar.

Reprinted with permission from The Children's Jewish Holiday Kitchen, by Joan Nathan. © 1995 Random House, Inc.