40 | APRIL 8 • 2021 

A

75-year debate that 
began in 1946 is 
the subject of a new 
documentary being produced 
by a West Bloomfield native. 
Filmmaker and producer Amy 
Krause, now based in Solana 
Beach, Calif., is in the midst of 
creating Latke vs. Hamantash, the 
movie.
The longstanding interna-
tional debate that originated at 
the University of Chicago exam-
ines which is the more perfect 
Jewish food — the latke or the 
hamantash. It enlists the help of 
the world’s greatest minds, from 
political scientists to astrophysi-
cists, to argue in favor of the food 
that best encompasses the Jewish 
story.
It’s not about flavor, but per-
fection, Krause says. Both the 
famous Chanukah potato pan-
cake and the filled-pocket Purim 
cookie each represents Jewish life 
in different ways. 
“There’s some very serious 
questions when you dig into it,
” 
she explains of the debate, “like 
‘Why is this funny?’ or ‘Why do 

Jews debate everything, including 
food?’”
Latke vs. Hamantash aims to 
answer these questions, among 
others, as it explores the history of 
the debate, its worldwide legacy 
and which hallmark food is, in 
fact, the more perfect Jewish food.

CHICAGO TRADITION
The internationally renowned 
“Latke-Hamantash Debate” is 
held annually at the University of 
Chicago and draws thousands of 
attendees. Last year on Dec. 17, it 
was held online for the first time 
due to COVID-19 but continues 
to be the university’s longest-run-
ning tradition.
Krause learned about the 
debate through her oldest daugh-
ter, Sophie Needelman Bloch, 
and was fascinated by the story. 
She needed to know more. 
“I’m Jewish, but I didn’t have 
a deep religious background,
” 
said Krause, who attended 
Birmingham Temple growing up. 
“We were Humanistic Jews, so I 
felt that I was Jewish enough to 
handle the topic.
”

ARTS&LIFE
DOCUMENTARY

Film to explore debate on what is 
the more perfect Jewish food.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“IT’LL ADD A LITTLE LIGHTNESS
AND REMEMBRANCE OF THE JOY
OF OUR CULTURE. NOT JUST THE 

STRUGGLES OF OUR CULTURE.”

— AMY KRAUSE

Latke vs.
Hamantash

Chef Uri Scheft demonstrating
the making of hamantashen at
the Lehamim Bakery in Tel Aviv.

At the University 
of Chicago with 
Bernie Weisberger, 
the oldest living 
debater

With American 
cookbook 
author Joan 
Nathan, who is 
displaying one 
of her books.

