For immediate release
Chicago, IL - November 19, 2024
Latkes! Dreidels! Gelt! Hanukkah (or Chanukah, if you like), the annual Jewish Festival of Lights is approaching as WTTW premieres A CELEBRATION OF HANUKKAH, an all-new special hosted by Geoffrey Baer, on Monday, December 23 at 8:00 pm on all WTTW platforms.
In this heartwarming, nostalgic, and humorous new 60-minute program, Geoffrey takes viewers on a fun exploration of the time-honored traditions of this joyous Jewish holiday as he shares the story of how it came to be, the significance of the season’s cherished foods and fun, and how families continue to celebrate together across generations.
Along the way, Geoffrey provides an overview of Hanukkah in popular culture, sharing his own holiday memories through some childhood home movies. And because food is such a meaningful component of every Hanukkah observance, Geoffrey heads into the kitchen with James Beard Award-winning Mindy Segal at her Wicker Park bakery, and Ayellet Benezra, owner of North Shore Kosher Bakery. With help from the bakers, he tries his hand at creating seasonal culinary delights including latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (filled donuts) as he explains how they connect to Hanukkah history. And of course he gets to taste everything!
"Geoffrey brings a spirit of curiosity and exploration to all of his shows,” said WTTW President & CEO Sandra Cordova Micek. “This one-of-a-kind holiday special continues that tradition around a treasured time of celebration. We hope families across Chicago and beyond will make watching WTTW’s A Celebration of Hanukkah one of their annual traditions for years to come."
Listen for whimsical music and commentary by the Hanukkah-exclusive LeeVees band with excerpts from their songs including “Applesauce vs. Sour Cream,” “Latke Clan,” “Gelt Melts,” “How Do You Spell [Hanukkah]?”, and “Goyim Friends.” Sing along as Chicago’s popular Maxwell Street Klezmer Band performs a rollicking holiday set.
Also included in the show:
- Kids spin the dreidel as they compete for “gelt” and other prizes;
- Excited participants take part in Chicago’s ever-expanding car-top Menorah Parade, and we’ll take a look at the burgeoning popularity of public Hanukkah displays;
- A quirky display of cherished family menorahs at a local synagogue’s Hanukkah party and the differing Hanukkah traditions around the world;
- A stop at the popular Wrigleyville Hanukkah pop-up bar 8 Crazy Nights to sample some creatively themed cocktails;
- A visit to a lavishly decorated suburban family residence, as its owner shares the months of effort involved to transform it into a blue and white holiday spectacle each year;
- And with some Jewish and interfaith families and children, religious leaders, and experts, age-old questions are asked and answered … such as why Jewish people light a menorah and what the candles represent, the conundrum of the holiday’s spelling; the most popular toppings for latkes (applesauce, sour cream, or ketchup?), and more!
On the companion website, launching at wttw.com/hanukkah on December 23, explore the history, traditions, and foods of Hanukkah. Discover more about the menorah (and what exactly is a hanukkiah?), hear from the LeeVees, and get Chef Mindy’s latke recipe. Plus, do you spell it Hanukkah, or Chanukah? Take the poll to weigh in!
Above all, along with a sense of the history and meaning of the holiday, viewers will come away from this WTTW production with an understanding that Hanukkah is ultimately all about family togetherness, food, and fun.
A CELEBRATION OF HANUKKAH is produced and written by Rachel Pikelny and hosted by Geoffrey Baer.
Geoffrey Baer is an Emmy Award-winning writer, producer and host for WTTW. Known for feature-length programs about the architecture and history of Chicago including The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago, Chicago by ‘L’ and The Chicago River Tour, Geoffrey also hosted the PBS series 10 that Changed America. Geoffrey has been a docent for the Chicago Architecture Center since 1987 and has been honored by the American Institute of Architects Chicago, the Society of Architectural Historians, the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Chicago Headline Club.
Lead support for A CELEBRATION OF HANUKKAH is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Major support is provided by The Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation, The Crain-Maling Foundation, and other generous friends of WTTW (as of 11/11/24).
WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to creating and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create, WTTW World, WTTW/PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com, and the PBS/WTTW video app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions – such as Chicago Stories, Chicago Tonight, Chicago by ‘L’, digital-first series Firsthand and Urban Nature; and national productions Prehistoric Road Trip and Nature Cat – WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s public media content. Connect with WTTW on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
