The latke and the hamantash. One’s a shredded potato pancake fried in lots of oil. The other’s a triangular cookie filled with poppy seeds or prunes. Both are traditional Jewish holiday treats — the latke is served at Hanukkah, and the hamantash is brought out around Purim.

But which one is better?

For decades, professors at the University of Chicago have been arguing over this question at the annual Latke-Hamantash debate using evidence from their own fields of study.

The 72nd annual debate will take place Monday at UChicago’s Mandel Hall.

Joining the Morning Shift to give some perspective on this tongue-in-cheek tradition is Wendy Doniger, professor of religious history at the U. of C., and a past Latke-Hamantash debater. Also joining the program is Leslie M. Kay, a psychology professor and one of this year’s debaters.

GUESTS: Wendy Doniger, professor of the history of religions, University of Chicago Divinity School

Leslie M. Kay, professor of psychology, University of Chicago

LEARN MORE: Latke-Hamantash Debate brings back the food fight Nov. 19 (UChicago News 11/12/18)