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The Hebrew Hammer

Play trailer Poster for The Hebrew Hammer R 2003 1h 25m Comedy Action Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
48% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
As a child, Mordechai Carver (Adam Goldberg) was teased mercilessly for his Jewish heritage by his gentile Christmas-celebrating classmates and neighbors. That has all changed: Mordechai is now a veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces who fancies himself the Hebrew Hammer, defending his people against those who seek to do harm. His main antagonist is would-be Hanukkah saboteur Damian Claus (Andy Dick) -- the evil offspring of Santa Claus (Richard Riehle) himself.

Critics Reviews

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Mark Jenkins Washington Post Jan 30, 2004
Desperation is the project's principal quality. Go to Full Review Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News Jan 2, 2004
2.5/4
The movie hits as much as it misses, with enough witty observations to ensure that somewhere, Kesselman's mother is kvelling. Go to Full Review David Rooney Variety Dec 23, 2003
Kesselman's thin script generally is funniest when it's riffing on Jewish stereotypes and goyish bigotry. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Jan 23, 2023
5/5
Twenty years after its premiere, The Hebrew Hammer is a cult comedy classic and one of the best Chanukah movies ever made. Go to Full Review Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn Dec 30, 2019
1/5
There's nothing that Andy Dick is even doing with his appearance to resemble Santa Claus... Go to Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn Dec 30, 2019
1/5
This is a career-killer right here. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Johnny R @RT08810596 Sep 13, 2026 This is a pretty funny movie. The writer/director called it a Jewxsploitation film which gives you a feel for it. It is basically a spoof of Blaxsploitation films except it is for Jews. They poke fun at Jewish stereotypes a lot so you will find it funnier if you know what those are. If you do it is surprisingly funny and good movie. I don't think most would find it offensive as the stereotypes are made fun of in a gentle way and not in a mean way. If you are not aware of the stereotypes you probably would still find it funny but it would be a bit more hit and miss with the humor. See more I P @Indigo9 Dec 28, 2025 Hilarious!!! So politically incorrect! Wonderful, highly recommended. See more steve d @RT35616104 Jun 28, 2020 A few laughs and a fun primes but it get old quick. See more Apr 16, 2019 Freakin hilarious, I really enjoy putting this movie on when the holidays roll around (especially if someone hasn't seen it). See more Dec 26, 2017 This is a classic! I've watched "The Hebrew Hammer" several times over the years. Adam Goldberg reminds me of the guys I went to college with at the University of Maryland years ago, They were brilliant, sarcastic, sweet, incredibly funny & at same time so serious. I hope someday they make a sequel to Hammer - this world needs to lighten up & laugh at itself a whole lot more. See more Apr 15, 2016 If you want to rent or buy the film: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thehebrewhammer See more Read all reviews
The Hebrew Hammer

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jonathan Kesselman

Director

Adam Goldberg

Mordechai Jefferson Carver

Judy Greer

Esther

Andy Dick

Santa 'Damian'

Mario Van Peebles

Mohammed

Peter Coyote

J.J.L. Chief

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The Hebrew Hammer

The Hebrew Hammer (2003) Adam Goldberg as Mordechai Jefferson Carver in THE HEBREW HAMMER from StrandReleasing. Mordechai (Adam Goldberg) and Esther (Judy Greer) go undercover as gentilesin THE HEBREW HAMMER from Strand Releasing. Andy Dick as Damien, the evil son of Santa Claus in THE HEBREW HAMMER fromStrand Releasing. Esther (Judy Greer) and Mordechai (Adam Goldberg) face the enemy in THEHEBREW HAMMER from Strand Releasing. Adam Goldberg as Mordechai Jefferson Carver in THE HEBREW HAMMER from StrandReleasing. The Hebrew Hammer (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis As a child, Mordechai Carver (Adam Goldberg) was teased mercilessly for his Jewish heritage by his gentile Christmas-celebrating classmates and neighbors. That has all changed: Mordechai is now a veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces who fancies himself the Hebrew Hammer, defending his people against those who seek to do harm. His main antagonist is would-be Hanukkah saboteur Damian Claus (Andy Dick) -- the evil offspring of Santa Claus (Richard Riehle) himself.
Director
Jonathan Kesselman
Producer
Josh Kesselman, Sofia Sondervan, Lisa Fragner
Distributor
Strand Releasing, Comedy Central, ContentFilm
Production Co
Jericho Entertainment, ContentFilm, Intrinsic Value Films, Comedy Central Films
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 19, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 11, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$19.5K
Runtime
1h 25m
Sound Mix
Surround
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