On the fifth night of Hanukkah, Mindy Kaling gave to us… a fully lit and fully tone-deaf menorah. Oy vey.
As a Jewish woman, I’ve become accustomed to a general lack of understanding of the many customs, traditions and holidays that I hold dear, save for Hanukkah because of how it falls close to Christmas.
On her Instagram on December 14, Kaling shared a photo of herself smiling with a lit menorah and the caption: “Happy Hanukkah night 5! *All candles lit for dramatic effect*.” Even if her intentions were in the right place, the execution was all wrong. Five nights. Five candles and the shamash. Not eight, as Kaling’s post suggests.
B.J. Novak, Kaling’s former costar and longtime friend, is Jewish and has been long-rumored to be the donor father of the Kaling’s two children. Many Instagram commenters seemed to be more concerned that her Hanukkah wishes could be a sign that the two were celebrating the holiday together. Even if that was the case, wouldn’t a lifelong Jew like Novak know that Kaling’s post would be viewed as a major faux pas? And if he wasn’t there to celebrate with her, why have a menorah in the first place?
As someone who has been in an interfaith relationship for the past several years, I can say that my partner has been nothing but open and understanding about Judaism. But I can’t imagine ever being okay with him or any non-Jews that I know sharing a photo with a menorah “for dramatic effect.”
In the ruthless space that is the internet, public figures have seen how cautious they must be when sharing anything online so it does not lead to a #CancelMindyKaling hashtag trending on Twitter. But after some digging, I was dismayed — though unsurprised — to see that the outrage over Kaling’s offense was limited to the comments section of her Instagram post.
Many Jewish and non-Jewish commenters shared in my frustration that something so symbolic and meaningful would be used for “dramatic effect.” Nonetheless, there are more than 125,000 likers who apparently disagree with seeing any wrongdoing.
In no universe is lighting the menorah early the same as putting up your Christmas lights early, and while we may not know what her true intentions were behind this picture, let’s hope that she’ll learn never to use something like an improperly lit menorah as a photo op again.
Next time, a simple “Happy Hanukkah” post or tweet will suffice, no dramatic effects necessary.
Sorry Mindy Kaling, We Don’t Light The Menorah For “Dramatic Effect”
Jacqueline Weiss
On the fifth night of Hanukkah, Mindy Kaling gave to us… a fully lit and fully tone-deaf menorah. Oy vey.
As a Jewish woman, I’ve become accustomed to a general lack of understanding of the many customs, traditions and holidays that I hold dear, save for Hanukkah because of how it falls close to Christmas.
On her Instagram on December 14, Kaling shared a photo of herself smiling with a lit menorah and the caption: “Happy Hanukkah night 5! *All candles lit for dramatic effect*.” Even if her intentions were in the right place, the execution was all wrong. Five nights. Five candles and the shamash. Not eight, as Kaling’s post suggests.
B.J. Novak, Kaling’s former costar and longtime friend, is Jewish and has been long-rumored to be the donor father of the Kaling’s two children. Many Instagram commenters seemed to be more concerned that her Hanukkah wishes could be a sign that the two were celebrating the holiday together. Even if that was the case, wouldn’t a lifelong Jew like Novak know that Kaling’s post would be viewed as a major faux pas? And if he wasn’t there to celebrate with her, why have a menorah in the first place?
As someone who has been in an interfaith relationship for the past several years, I can say that my partner has been nothing but open and understanding about Judaism. But I can’t imagine ever being okay with him or any non-Jews that I know sharing a photo with a menorah “for dramatic effect.”
In the ruthless space that is the internet, public figures have seen how cautious they must be when sharing anything online so it does not lead to a #CancelMindyKaling hashtag trending on Twitter. But after some digging, I was dismayed — though unsurprised — to see that the outrage over Kaling’s offense was limited to the comments section of her Instagram post.
Many Jewish and non-Jewish commenters shared in my frustration that something so symbolic and meaningful would be used for “dramatic effect.” Nonetheless, there are more than 125,000 likers who apparently disagree with seeing any wrongdoing.
In no universe is lighting the menorah early the same as putting up your Christmas lights early, and while we may not know what her true intentions were behind this picture, let’s hope that she’ll learn never to use something like an improperly lit menorah as a photo op again.
Next time, a simple “Happy Hanukkah” post or tweet will suffice, no dramatic effects necessary.
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Ha Lachma Anya
Passover 2024: The Four Difficulties
Israel Strikes Deep Inside Iran
NSFW – A Poem for Parsha Metzora
Israel War Room Launches in Spanish
Modern Book Bans Echo Past Atrocities and Further Silence Marginalized Voices
Culture
Make Felt Seder Plate Elements
Oct. 7 Events to Be Depicted in New Stage Show
Shani Seidman: Manischewitz, Passover Memories and Matzo Brei
Was Spinoza a Victim of Cancel Culture?
The Power of the Passover Seder to Unite Jews
This year, just six months after the brutal terrorist attack on October 7th, the Passover holiday is more important than ever.
Dr. Nicole Saphier Reflects on Motherhood and Jewish Advocacy
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Saphier has put out a new book called, “Love, Mom: Inspiring Stories Celebrating Motherhood.”
Israel’s David Moment
How Iran’s attack on the Jewish state could help unify a fractured Middle East
Beit Issie Shapiro Gala, David Labkovski Exhibit, de Toledo College Signing Day, JFSLA Shabbat
Notable people and events in the Jewish LA community.
Is Aaron’s Haroses the New Hummus?
Aaron Weiner, Founder of Aaron’s Haroses, wants to make haroses – aka charoset – a year-round treat.
Hollywood
Spielberg Says Antisemitism Is “No Longer Lurking, But Standing Proud” Like 1930s Germany
Young Actress Juju Brener on Her “Hocus Pocus 2” Role
Behind the Scenes of “Jeopardy!” with Mayim Bialik
Podcasts
Shani Seidman: Manischewitz, Passover Memories and Matzo Brei
Joan Nathan: “My Life in Recipes” and Pecan Lemon Torte
More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.