About Mistletoe & Menorahs

"Mistletoe & Menorahs", released in 2019, is a vibrant holiday film that eloquently tackles themes of cultural nuances, festivity, friendship and love. The movie chronicles the journey of a woman named Christy who, despite being underprepared, needs to master all things Hanukkah in a short span of time to impress a potential business client. Alongside this, Jonathan, needs to gain a thorough understanding of Christmas traditions to win over his girlfriend's parents. This blooming friendship between Christy and Jonathan and their cultural exchange forms the crux of the storyline.

Making / Production

"Mistletoe & Menorahs" was directed by Max McGuire and produced by MarVista Entertainment, known for its extensive catalog of holiday and family-oriented films. The screenplay was written by Guy Yosub and Michael Cenkner who perfectly balanced different cultures and traditions while creating an enjoyable movie.

Actors

• Kelley Jakle as Christy - adeptly portrays an ambitious woman who is determined to learn about Hanukkah.
• Jake Epstein as Jonathan - delivers a charming performance as a man seeking to grasp Christmas traditions.
• Damien Doepping as Larry - convincingly plays the role of Christy's boss and provides comic relief.
• Cory Lee as Holly - masterfully portrays Jonathan’s girlfriend who is keen on sharing Christmas with Jonathan.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie was predominantly shot in Ottawa, Canada during the holiday season for an authentic festive backdrop.
• "Mistletoe & Menorahs" is one of the few holiday films that equally highlight both Hanukkah and Christmas traditions.
• Kelley Jakle, who played Christy, is also a singer and released a Christmas album in 2017.

Quotes

• "Hanukkah is not about competition, it's about perseverance and miracles." - Jonathan
• "Christmas isn't about being perfect, it's about being together." - Christy
• "When life gives you lemons, sometimes you've got to make applesauce." - Larry

Music, Soundtrack

• The music for the film was composed by Russell Henson who skillfully blended traditional Christmas and Hanukkah tunes.
• "Deck the Halls" and "O Hanukkah" feature prominently in the film adding to the lively holiday atmosphere.
• Kelley Jakle, aside from her acting role, performed some of the Christmas songs in the film.