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First held at the University of Chicago in 1946, the annual Latke-Hamantash Debate has spawned a series of successors at universities and colleges nationwide and remains a mainstay of the campus calendar. These humorous academic debates, sponsored by the Newberger Hillel Center, feature University of Chicago professors in full regalia arguing the relative merits of two of the greatest culinary achievements of all time: latkes and hamantashen. Although no one has ever won the debate, a colorful cast of characters has campaigned mightily, displaying sincere devotion even while heartily lampooning academic seriousness. Why does the debate have such relevance for generations of debaters and audience alike? Most importantly, will this special edition, complete with greatest hits, settle the latke-hamantash question once and for all?
This October debate features professor of philosophy Ted Cohen, professor of music Philip Gossett, professor of microbiology James Shapiro, and moderator Daniel Libenson.
Illustration by Richard Thompson for The University of Chicago Magazine