A few years ago, Neal Hoffman, a former Hasbro toy maker based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, was walking around a Nordstroms with his wife and son when his son asked him for an Elf on the Shelf, a popular Christmas toy. “Jew don’t get Elves on Shelves,” Hoffman told him. “We get Mensches on Benches.”
And with that, a Jewish star was born.
Within weeks, Hoffman trademarked the name, wrote a children’s book, designed a 12” plush doll, and started a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the project. Backed by the tagline, “Adding more Funukkah into Chanukah,” Mensch on a Bench quickly became one of the most popular children’s toys of the Chanukah season, telling the story of Moshe the Mensch, who helped Judah and the Maccabees by watching over the menorah as the oil burned for eight full days and nights. What a mensch!
Within less than two years, the plush doll/book combo was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank, and eventually offered on the shelves of major toy stores like Toys 'R' Us, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Michaels, and Barnes & Noble. Finally, Jewish parents whose kids were facing “Elf envy” had an alternative that boasts their heritage, is educational, and fun.
In addition to a Passover book Hoffman is currently working on, The Afiko Mensch, this week it was revealed that Moshe the Mensch’s story will be converted into an animated holiday special, with Pilgrim Studios acquiring the television and film rights to the franchise.
“The project, like many things on Mensch, came about by fate,” Hoffman tells The CJN in an exclusive interview. “Someone in the Pilgrim offices has a Mensch on a Bench on their desk for fun. The CEO of the company walked by, saw it, and fell in love. We had an offer the next day. I love their passion for the Mensch and shared vision for bringing him to screen.”
According to Hoffman, who always had this “grand idea” of Mensch being more than just a book and doll, stories for the feature are currently in development. “We want this to be fun and uplifting, but the main idea has to be about being a Mensch,” he says. “Our goal as a company is to give parents the tools they need to teach good values.”
Asking if Hoffman has any ideas in mind for who he’d want to provide the voice for Moshe, he responds gleefully, “Oh boy…so many great Jewish actors that I want! My top three are Billy Crystal, Adam Sandler, and Seth Rogan. I realize that is shooting for the moon, but at this point, why not?”
Given that Moshe has skyrocketed in popularity since its inception just two years ago, having either of those actors (particularly Sandler or Rogan) voice Moishe isn’t entirely that far-fetched. Though it may be good to have a few alternative actors in mind. I wonder if Chaim Topol is available?