Latke vs Hamentaschen: The Great Debate 2004

MIT Hillel's 2004 Latke-Hamentashen Debate began with a toss of a hamentashen to decide which team would present first.   Master of Cermonies Professor Donald Sadoway of Materials Science and Engineering declined to toss a latke since he claimed it is impossible to tell one side from the other.   Winning the toss and presenting their arguments first was the Hamentashen Team featuring Anne McCants of History, Robert Rose of Material Science and Engineering, and Robert Weinberg of Biology.

Arguing for the latke were three equally renowned professors: Edward Farhi of Physics, Jeffrey Hoffman of Aeronautics/Astronautics, and Andrew Kadak of Nuclear Engineering.   Former astronaut Dr. Hoffman presented a Power Point presentation entitled "Latkes in Space" extolling the virtues of the latke and their compatibility to space travel..

An enthusiastic crowd of close to 400 cheered on the debaters.   After all arguments were presented Prof. Sadoway polled the audience for a decision, but declared a tie.   For more answers to the question of superiority, come to the 2005 Latke-Hamentashen Debate!

For additional coverage on the 2004 debate read the Tech Talk article, " Triangular Pastry Squares Off Against Potato Pancake"

		Prof. Donald Sadoway prepares to toss a cherry hamentashen to determine which team begins the debate. Professors Andrew Kadak (left) and Robert Weinberg look on.
		Arguing for the latke, Prof. Edward Farhi ridicules the hamentashen, portrayed by Sophie Rapoport '07.
		Prof. Anne McCants of the History Department presented historic evidence for the superiority of the hamentashen
		Whereas objects with sharp edges cannot be used on the space shuttle and the hamentashen has three sharp points, former astronaut Prof. Jeffrey Hoffman concluded that the latke is better.
		The Latke (Josh Katz '06) and the Hamentashen (Sophie Rapoport '07) duke it out during MIT Hillel's 2004 Latke-Hamentashen Debate.