How to Wear Hanukkah Swag Without Offending Anyone

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
♫ On the first day of Hanukkah my true love gave to me, a dreidel with a stripper on top.♫
Not even two weeks after the offensive , we have entered the Hanukkah season minefield.
As if Jewish women don’t deal with enough stereotypes, a novelty item just sprinkled some salt on the wound. According to Kveller Nordstrom was forced to take down a Hanukkah sweater with the words “Chai Maintenance” and “Hanukkah J.A.P.” embroidered next to a Star of David and a menorah from their website.
Unsurprisingly, the male version of the novelty top just featured a cute “Oy Vey,” adding the kitsch without any of the negative spoiled/rich/brat connotation.

Image by Kveller
All this had us thinking — what other crazy Hanukkah swag is out there in the world of online retailers?
Here’s what we found:
As soon as Seth Rogen’s “The Night Before” hits theaters, this star-knit-wonder will be at every Ugly Holiday party come December.

Image by Night Before
You can have a little “Annie Hall” Woody Allen action going on for eight crazy nights.

Image by Screenshot: Tipsy Elves
What? No, just no.

Image by Screenshot: Zazzle
Step 1: Crown Heights sweater. Step 2: Monsey, New Square and Williamsburg?

Image by Screenshot: Amazon
See, you can look like a schmuck without being a schmuck!

Image by Screenshot: Amazon
We’re not going to lie, this is really cute.

Image by Screenshot: Amazon
Whoever designed this sweater: the Jerk Store called, they’re running out of you!

Image by Screenshot: Zazzle
Can we all agree right now to never, ever, ever buy this?

Image by Screenshot: Amazon
The only thing offensive about this is the searing pain it causes our eyes. Otherwise, go for it!

Image by Screenshot: Amazon
Everything about this T-shirt is amazing. May the Schwartz be with you!

Image by Screenshot: Etsy
This reindeer might be confusing Hanukkah with Rosh Hashanah, but thanks for the good wishes either way!

Image by Screenshot: Amazon
Hanukkah Harry agrees.

Image by Screenshot: Amazon
Subtly festive.

Image by Screenshot: Zazzle
Keep warm with an appropriate sweater and Happy Hanukkah!
"Why I became the Forward’s Editor-in-Chief"
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
