Mattel has released its first official Hanukkah Barbie, but reaction to the doll has centred less on its festive outfit than on its face. Some collectors say the doll's nose is noticeably more pronounced than those of other Barbies, while members of the Jewish community interviewed by the New York Post have welcomed its appearance.
Part of the Holiday Sweater collection
The doll, priced at $28, was unveiled this week as part of Mattel's upcoming Holiday Sweater collection.
The collection also includes two Christmas Barbies, one blonde and one Black, dressed in red-and-green sweaters that light up at the press of a hidden button. Both have Barbie's familiar long hair, shiny lips, full smiles, wide eyes and small noses.
Design of the Hanukkah doll
The Hanukkah Barbie wears a cobalt sweater printed with a large menorah, light blue dreidels, small snowflakes and blue Stars of David, paired with blue checked leggings and small Ugg boots.
She keeps the brand's slim figure, but has olive-toned skin, brown hair and brown eyes, and a closed half-smile with a matte finish.
According to the New York Post, the doll appears to be based on an updated version of Barbie's "Violet" mould, first created in 2018, and has a more angular nose than the Christmas dolls in the same collection.
Reaction from collectors online
On Reddit, doll collectors noticed a difference between the Hanukkah Barbie's nose and that of more typical Barbies.
"The nose seems to have more of a bump to mimic more 'Jewish' facial features," one user wrote.
"She looks different," another commented. "Her nose appears more prominent."
Several users described the nose as "hooked". As the New York Post notes, the hooked nose has been used for centuries as a trope to vilify Jews, including in Second World War propaganda.
Other fans criticised the doll's overall appearance, including what one called its "printed, cheap" outfit. "She deserved better," the user wrote.
Concern from shoppers
Alexis, 45, from Manhattan's Upper West Side, told the New York Post: "I love that a Barbie celebrates Hanukkah, but why does she have to have a different nose? It's so small in the scope of things, and obviously it's not meant to be harmful. But I can't unsee it."
Support from a rabbi
Others welcomed the doll. Rabbi Yael Buchler of Riverdale, a Conservative rabbi and Jewish educator who runs the Midrash Manicures account on Instagram, said she was pleased the doll resembles some members of her congregation.
"[Barbie founder] Ruth Handler was Jewish, and I think she would be kvelling to know there's a Hanukkah Barbie," she said.
"I'm sure generations of kids have had Barbie celebrate Hanukkah long before Mattel made Hanukkah Barbie. Now Hanukkah is officially part of Barbie's world, and that feels so special."
View of an antisemitism expert
Daphna Michaelson Jenet, Executive Director of the David Merage Foundation for Confronting Antisemitism, which runs workshops for brands and media studios on avoiding anti-Jewish tropes, said: "I do think the nose looks larger on this Barbie."
However, she said a more prominent feature is not a problem when handled respectfully, describing the doll as having "a beautiful face".
"It's nothing little Jewish girls would be ashamed of," she said.
Mattel's response
Mattel was asked by the New York Post whether any members of the Jewish community were involved in making the doll, but did not provide comment by press time.
Source: New York Post
