On Monday, March 9, the ever-popular and always hilarious Latke-Hamantash Debate made its way to Milton’s campus. Students took sides to argue the “merits and meaning” of two Jewish cuisines, Latke and Hamantash. This pseudo-academic pursuit that began in 1946 at the University of Chicago has since spread to universities across the country, featuring notable scholars such as Milton Friedman and Alan Dershowitz (P ’08). This was one of the first times that a high school has hosted the debate.
Members of the Hamantashen side argued that the Hamantashen symbolizes the transcendence of cultural boundaries, the importance of civil rights, and the very foundation of democracy itself. Supporters of the Latke contended that their cuisine is a metaphor for James Joyce’s Leopold Bloom, a representation of the circle of life, and a healthier choice than the Hamantash.
“Everyone who attended the event—students, faculty, and the academic dean—thought it a tremendous success,” said Ross Lerner (II), an organizer of the event. “It was a lot of fun and we were able to prove, once and for all, that Latke is superior.” Brennan Robbins (II), another organizer, concurred that the event was enjoyable, but felt that the Hamantash ultimately came out on top. “To me, it’s not even a question,” said Brennan. “The Hamantashen won the debate, just as we knew it would.”
