Our esteemed panelists will debate the merits of the latke or hamantash to determine the winner. Hilarity is guaranteed!

(Yes, we have moved the debate to Hanukkah this time to give the latke a chance to win! Are we biased? Maybe a little.)

Saul Straussman (Master of Ceremonies) is the social studies teacher extraordinaire at Taylor Allderdice High School, esteemed President of Temple Sinai, bass and acoustic guitar aficionado, and resident Beatles expert.

Barbara Burstin, PhD, is a Holocaust and Jewish studies scholar whose works include “After the Holocaust: The Migration of Polish Jews and Christians to Pittsburgh.” She wrote three books on the history of the Pittsburgh Jewish community and wrote and produced a documentary film “A Jewish Legacy: Pittsburgh." Currently, she is working on a film entitled “The Jewish Hill” and is writing a biography of Sophie Masloff, the first female mayor of Pittsburgh (1988–1993). She teaches about the U.S. and the Holocaust and the American Jewish Experience at the University of Pittsburgh.

Rabbi Larry Freedman is the Director of the Joint Jewish Education Program of Pittsburgh (J-JEP). Previously served as associate rabbi at Temple Sinai of Roslyn (New York), Rabbi-Educator at our own Temple Sinai, and Rabbi of Temple Beth Jacob in Newburgh, NY. Rabbi Freedman has been a teacher at URJ Crane Lake Camp, and is a chaplain in the NY Air National Guard holding the rank of Lt. Colonel where, along with the entire chaplain team, he serves six Jews and a thousand others of every religious background.

Mike Gordon is Manager, Digital Production, Major League Baseball. He has written a song for us in support of his favorite holiday treat. Latke or Hamantash? We can’t wait to find out!

Councilman Corey O'Connor has served the 5th District on the Pittsburgh City Council since 2011. A strong advocate of community service and support both inside and outside government, Corey was twice honored as Squirrel Hill Little League Baseball Coach of the Year and was the youngest varsity sports coach in WPIAL History. He still coaches the Central Catholic High School Golf Team, and also serves on several local boards and commissions, including the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN), Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO), Omicelo Cares, and The Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center.

Dr. Adam Rothschild is a cannabis medicine physician who is board certified in family medicine. (No, he didn’t make the latkes or hamantashen here tonight!) Dr. Rothschild completed his residency at UPMC Shadyside Family Medicine Residency Program and is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and Tufts University. He also completed graduate studies and a postdoctoral fellowship in medical informatics at Johns Hopkins University and Columbia University.