He’s the mascot for Team Israel’s Olympic baseball team. He’s been seen on the hit TV series Shark Tank. Now, he’s entering your homes.
The Mensch on a Bench has rapidly become one of the most popular gift items for Jewish children during the holiday of Hanukkah, and for good reasons. It is one of the most accurate representations of a stereotypical old Jewish man, and in a good way.
The mensch first went viral when Neal Hoffman appeared on Shark Tank in 2014. He’s a 12-inch buddy, based off Moshe the Mensch in the book, Mensch on a Bench, written by Hoffman and Rob Foster.
Now, instead of feeling left out when kids see an Elf on a Shelf, they can get excited to bring home their own little mensch. And since that episode came out, the brand has blown up.
Fresh for Hanukkah this year is the talking version of the Mensch on a Bench. On sale for $19.99, it’s the perfect gift to give someone, young or old, during the Festival of Lights.
The talking mensch has plenty of phrases to keep you entertained throughout the year, too. He shouts out more than 20 Yiddish words and phrases, enough to bring some nostalgia to your home.
Everyone from Whoopi Goldberg to actors Jason Alexander and David Krumholtz have enjoyed their time with the Mensch on a Bench.
Not only is the talking mensch available, but there’s a whole family, or mishpacha in Hebrew. The company now has the Mitzvah Moose, Ask Bubbe, Ask Papa and Hannah the Hanukkah Hero.
Ask Bubba is labeled as a “magic eight-ball that meets Jewish grandmother,” thanks to all of her random phrases. The same can be said about the Jewish grandfather, Ask Papa.
The Mitzvah Moose might be the most adorable member of this cuddly family. The blue moose even comes with an inspiring 17-page story. Moshe, your favorite mensch, ends up encountering the Mitzvah Moose, whose antlers won’t glow.
To order a Mensch on a Bench and find out more about the brand, visit www.themenschonabench.com.
