You’d think people would have learned their lesson with that ubiqutous big-mouthed fish, but no, singing tsotchkes that serve no purpose other than to amuse someone once then annoy them forever continue to be produced:
Say “shalom” to Latke Larry, an admittedly cute little fellow who carries a frying pan and bleats out a homage to Chanukah’s favorite food.
Conceived as a fundraiser for Chabad charity Friendship Circle, the action figure is voiced by everyone’s favorite cranky Jewish icon, Jerry Stiller. According to Larry’s Web site, Stiller volunteered his services after his friend, actor Jon Voigt asked him to do it.
“Voigt, a longtime supporter of Chabad, had encountered Rabbi [Areyeh] Kaltmann at events over the years. Stiller said he was intrigued.”
Latke Larry retails for $17.95, plus shipping & handling, and all proceeds go to help children with special needs. The tzedakah aspect forgives the outright silliness of the song; as Stupid.com puts it: “To call this toy ridiculous would be an act of kindness.”
In any case, it’s not the worst Chanukah toy on the market.
(…Wait a minute…Jon Voight goes to Chabad???)
ONE ATTABOY FOR JON ! MAKE IT TWO, HE GETS TO HUG HER! NEED MORE OF US OUT THERE….TONYB
I was in “Bed Bath and Beyond” last week and found myself in the Chanukah dept. Just when I thought their selection was beginning to shape up into tasteful items–I spot Larry L. “Oh no” was my immediate reaction—it was sitting next to the dozens of Orthodox Rabbis plush toys singing something or other–Respecting Jerry Stiller I pushed LL’s button to hear him–BIG MISTAKE!!! Now understand that I am a naturally funny chick–I usually crack everyone up around me with my jokes and SHTICK–this thing made me think that must have been holding a gun to Jerry’s head to make him do this! I immediately thought “how could he put out such drek?” and at the holidays, no less—I looked for a button to stop the thing, but NOOOOOOO it kept on and on and as I looked around to see if anyone was watching(or worse yet listening) to this—I felt an obligation to all of my fellow Jews to not let anyone gentile think that THIS represented a Chanukah. People started to stare and in order to distract them I pushed every single Rabbi’s button and they started to all sing at once! I just stopped and started to laugh so loud I started to “snort”—but walking away, I thought that just like not drainig the excess grease from a Latke before consuming makes you ill sometimes, this toy is a metaphor for burnt latkes—PLEASE spare yourself the embarrassment of giving this to ANYONE for AN
YTHING and make a donation DIRECTLY to Chabbad–LATER LARRY! one gr8 singer@yahoo.com
TONYB! Take off yer caps lock and stop yelling, would ya?
Perhaps you are unaware that Jon Voight is Angelina Jolie’s FATHER?
Jon Voight is Angelina’s what???? Jerry Stiller said what?? I’m confused. Are there any clips online of Latke Larry? IS Angelina jewish? A Rabbi sponsored this toy creation? Tookie has not been spared yet? OY!!
Okay i saw the video on the website… It’s typical of Jerry Stiller: “Fill the plate, eat the chow, finally I have some Serenity Now!” Is Seinfeld getting any royalties for this? LOL… I guess it’s an aquired taste M Anker. Still, I never knew about the Voight/Jolie connection.
Jon Voigt does support Chabad. He is not Jewish. Chabad’s drug rehab center in LA has done wonders for recovering addicts of all races and religions. I’m not one of them, but I did play their Chanukah party two years ago and saw for myself. (BTW, Jon was at the party, Angelina was not.)
Also, all these Chanukah shtiklach that have been inundating the market, as well as all this nonsectarian-wannabe “Happy Holidays” shice, is all about “Xmas envy” and has nothing to do with anything resembling the Maccabean rebellion & victory or the miracle of the lights. For some reason this year it seems to be more obnoxious than in the past. It would be refreshing if we Jews in America would stop envying our Christian neighbors of their pagan holiday and focus on what Chanukah is really all about.
Happy Chanukah, y’all.
Hear, hear, Heshy!
This is a great toy if ya got a Larry in the house. Even without the music he is cute as a hanukah decoration… My husband is named LARRY and loved this…..Happy Hanukah from Ellen ( Larrys wife)
Hey there! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!