Happy December! It’s Chrismukkah season and we have a lot of Hanukkah TV coming this month — a truly unprecedented amount, in my opinion. And while two of our favorite Israeli shows — “Tehran” and “Kugel” — are premiering new seasons, we might have to wait quite a while to see them stateside. In the meantime, here’s all the Jewish TV we have to look forward to in this cold and lovely month of December.
December 3: ‘as1one: The Israeli-Palestinian Pop Music Journey’ (Paramount+)
This TV series follows an Israeli-Palestinian pop group that landed in the U.S. the day after October 7 in hopes of making their pop career a reality. It’s quite a surprising and unlikely story, brought to you by the man behind the musical phenomenon that is Maroon 5.
December 3: ‘Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends’ ‘Hanukkah Heist’ episode (Disney Jr.)
Spidey is getting ready for a Hanukkah party hosted by his friend The Thing, who is Jewish, when his Aunt Petunia’s latkes get stolen by Rhino and the other villains because they’re just so delicious. Petunia is voiced by the incredible Jackie Hoffman (“Feud,” “Only Murder In the Buildings”) and at the end of this episode, she shares the ingredient that make her latkes irresistible. Can you guess what it is? The episode premiered on Disney Jr. on December 3 and is available for streaming on Disney+.
December 4: ‘SuperKitties’ ‘Hanukkah Rescue’ episode (Disney Jr.)
In this new episode of the feline superhero show, the SuperKitties learn to celebrate Hanukkah at a menorah lighting with loved ones. “Hanukkah Rescue” premiered on December 4 and will start streaming December 18 on Disney+.
December 4: ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’ ‘Mazel, Meredith’ episode (Bravo)
In this episode of the beloved reality franchise, one of the housewives, Meredith Marks, “marks a significant milestone by becoming a bat mitzvah, a momentous occasion that promises both celebration and deep reflection on her journey,” according to Bravo. We’re excited for the adult bat mitzvah representation, and even more excited because the ceremony was led by Kveller contributor Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder.
December 6: ‘Mickey Mouse Funhouse’ ‘Hanukkah at Hilda’s’ episode (Disney Jr.)
Turns out that Mickey’s friend Hilda Hippo is Jewish, and in this episode, the gang gets caught in a snowstorm and celebrates the Festival of Lights with their hippo friend. The episode will start streaming on Disney+ on December 11.
December 6: ‘Mary’ (Netflix)
Why is a movie about Mary of Magdalene on a list of Jewish TV, you may ask? Well, Mary was, by all accounts, Jewish, and for the sake of authenticity, the film cast Israeli actors to play both Mary and Joseph (and is now facing some backlash because of it). Noa Cohen, who most recently starred in the army drama “8200” opposite “Shtisel” star Michael Aloni, plays the mother of Jesus, and Ido Tako, who stars in Netflix’s “Black Space,” plays Joseph. Israeli actors Keren Tzur and Ori Pfeffer (“Hacksaw Ridge”) also have roles in the movie. Anthony Hopkins plays King Herrod.
December 8: ‘Leah’s Perfect Gift’ (Hallmark)
Hallmark’s Hanukkah movies for the season are finally here. This first one stars Emily Arlook, who plays Rabbi Noah’s mythological ex, Rebecca, in “Nobody Wants This.” In this new movie, she plays protagonist Leah, who is in a relationship with a very nice non-Jewish boy and gets invited to celebrate Christmas with his family. Drama and conflict ensue, and of course, a happily ever after is in store because Hallmark. This film also has a very nice Hanukkah celebration in which Leah and boyfriend Graham (Evan Roderick) kiss, and in which he fries latkes with her family while wearing a Jewish holiday-themed apron.
December 13: ‘Hanukkah on the Rocks’ (Hallmark)
The second Hallmark Hanukkah offering this year comes from the writer of one of my faves, “Hanukah on Rye,” and this time features Jewish-themed bar drinks instead of Jewish delis, inspired by recent Hanukkah bar pop-ups. It stars Stacey Farber of “Degrassi” fame who gets laid off from her fancy corporate job and finds solace at a local Chicago bar, where she meets regular Sam, played by the iconic Marc Summers, the grandfather of her love interest in the movie, Jay, played by Daren Kagasoff (“The Village”).
December 19: ‘Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas’ (NBC)
All the best Christmas songs were written by Jews, and they’re also really nice when they’re sung by incredible Jewish singers like Barry Manilow.
December 20: ‘Ilana Glazer: Human Magic’ (Hulu)
It’s been four years since “Broad City” star and co-creator Ilana Glazer premiered their last stand-up special, “The Planet Is Burning,” a year before becoming a parent. This new special premiering on Hulu this month was filmed during her 48-city tour this year, at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre in Toronto in May, and will hopefully have some funny and relatable parenting takes, like this one:
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