Feud over merits of latkes, hamentashen continues Nov. 21

Proponents of the latke (potato pancake) and proponents of the hamentash (a triangular pastry) will engage in a battle of wits -- and the witty -- at the 49th annual Latke-Hamentash Symposium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, in Max Palevsky Cinema.

Within the format of a symposium, panelists will draw upon their various academic disciplines to extol the virtues of latkes or hamentashen. This year's panelists are Andrew Aronson, Associate Professor in Pediatrics and Section Chief in Pediatric Nephrology; Jerre Levy, Professor in Psychology; Nicholas Rudall, Associate Professor in Classical Languages & Literatures and Founding Director of Court Theatre; and Paul Sally Jr., Professor in Mathematics. Ted Cohen, Professor in Philosophy, will moderate the debate, and Rabbi Daniel Leifer, director of Hillel Foundation, will give the introduction.

The debate concerns the relative merits of latkes, commonly eaten during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, and hamentashen, which take their name from Haman, whose failed attempt to massacre the Jews is commemorated by the Jewish holiday of Purim. The style of the debate, which follows the Jewish practice of spoofing rabbinical tradition and mimicking teachers, parodies both Jewish custom and the rigorous and highly academic nature of the University.

Following the debate, latkes, hamentashen, sour cream, applesauce and cider will be served.

The debate is free and open to the public; the post-symposium feast costs $2. For more information, call Hillel at 752-1127.