Meet the Writer Behind Those Hallmark Hanukkah Movies

Julie Sherman Wolfe has been writing for television and film for over 25 years, including penning her beloved Hanukkah-related Hallmark movies. In 2022, she created the romantic comedy, “Hanukkah on Rye” for the cable network, and this holiday, “Hanukkah on the Rocks” recently made its debut.

“I was really proud to be able to do a fully Hanukkah movie that didn't have Christmas in it,” Wolfe told Aish.com in an exclusive interview. “This was for me a real treat to be able to write one that was literally just for Hanukkah. I wanted to make sure it was still accessible enough for people who aren't Jewish to not only watch the movie, but maybe learn a little bit about the culture in a really lovely way. It’s not preachy, it's not political, it's nothing except just showing the warmth and the joy and the happiness that Hanukkah brings to people, in the same way that they feel that Christmas is for them.”

For “Hanukkah on Rye,” Wolfe interspersed the journey of how her own family emigrated to the U.S.

“I was very happy to be able to use a little bit of our story, on how we came to the country, mixed in with our executive at Hallmark, who has a similar background. We kind of merged those two for that script. I think a lot of people who watched that movie did not know that when the Jews came to New York, it was a struggle and it was really a really difficult life. I think there's a misconception that we just showed up in America and were immediately successful. That's a disservice to the Jewish people and especially those who came and really did suffer in the Lower East Side, in the tenements.”

Wolfe went to the Tenement Museum and did a lot of research to make sure that she was telling that story in a way that was accessible and educational, but not preachy. “Finding the right voice was a delicate balance,” she acknowledged.

Yiddish=Mamaloshen (our mother tongue)

In both “Hannukah on Rye” and “Hannukah on the Rocks,” the characters often use Yiddish references as part of their dialogue. To Jewish audiences who no longer get to hear their parents speak Yiddish, it’s especially poignant.

“But what was funny is, there were some reviews who were like, ‘oh, it's so stereotypical. Nobody talks like this.’ And I said, ‘Well actually, my entire family talks like this, there was really nothing stereotypical about it, as far as I was concerned. That's how we sound, that's how our conversations are. Maybe we use a little more Yiddish than normal. But nothing crazy!”

Wolfe’s grandmother spoke Yiddish fluently, and in turn, taught her everything she knows.

Actor Daren Kagasoff in “Hanukkah on the Rocks”

“It’s the same with my husband's family, it's not just knowing those buzz words, like ‘mishegas’ (which means craziness, foolishness in Yiddish) or a ‘shanda,’ (a shame, disgrace) but just really knowing a lot. He knows a lot more than I do. I do think it is a dying language, and I try and use it as much as I can in everyday conversation. I don't do it on purpose, it just kind of comes out. But for most people watching these movies, they can get a sense of what these words mean without having to really look it up, because it's all in context.”

During one scene, the Yiddish word bashert (which means soulmate) is also mentioned.

“The concept of bashert – that there is a destined one out there for you – that is the most Hallmark of all concepts really!” Wolfe enthused. “It's the Yiddish way of saying the same things we say in all the other Hallmark movies, about fate and things that are meant to be. I strongly believe in it because I met my husband on Jdate and it was instant. We knew after the first date; it was just one of those things I never thought I would feel or experience. You don't know it until it happens.”

Wolfe loved writing about soulmates and fate so much because it happened to her.

“But when we dated online, it wasn’t yet socially acceptable to do internet dating, it was brand new. Give it to the Jewish folks to be first, right? ‘Matchmaking is involved, we will be at the forefront!’ We actually lied about how we met for a couple years, until everybody else started doing Match.com. Until then, we would tell everyone we met at a coffee house, which was true, but not how we met!”

Wolfe’s husband is the author of the popular book, “Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf.”

Decorating and Educating

Wolfe is thrilled that Hallmark mixes both films about Hanukkah and Christmas on their network.

“I love all the people that write to me who aren't Jewish, who watched these movies and tell me they've learned something. Like they didn't realize what a menorah meant or why we eat jelly donuts. This is why we include all those little things that people may have not known about, if they don't live in a big city, or don't live near a lot of Jewish people. I'm really proud that I can help bring that to more people. And to show, especially these days, our culture in the best way possible.”

Watching the characters talk at length about the placement of outdoor Hanukkah decorations, one can’t help but wonder how many Jewish people have hesitated to place them where others can see due to the threat of antisemitism.

A viewing party at Julie's home. The author is in the middle.

“It makes me sad, because I actually did think last year, about putting them up outside… And just the fact that I had to even think twice about it really made me angry – and then I bought more! I got extra blue and white lights and decorations to put out! Because I think back to our ancestors and where they escaped from, and our family, luckily, got out of Russia and Poland, earlier than World War II. But would they have wanted us to hide or would they say ‘do more’? I'm not saying it's defiance because it's just lights, but it's a troubled time. So in a way, it kinda is. It's not as easy as it was to just go out there and hang them.”

Wolfe’s 16-year-old son has dealt with some antisemitism at his school.

“Instead of keeping quiet about it, his response was to start a new culture club at the school and do basically what we're doing – bridge that gap with people, which was wonderful. All three of us (Wolfe, her husband and son) feel a responsibility to be good ambassadors to our culture and our people.”