‘Hammer’ Time — Again?

Published on January 2, 2013

Everyone’s favorite certified circumcised private dick is poised for a big return. Nearly 10 years after “The Hebrew Hammer” hit theaters in 2003, there’s talk of a sequel featuring the titular Orthodox hero. Filmmaker Jonathan Kesselman, a native of Van Nuys, is eyeing a May shoot for “The Hebrew Hammer vs. Hitler.”

Not-So-Nice Jewish Boy

By Jonathan Kesselman
Published on August 4, 2005

When Israeli producers came to America to audition Jewish men to star in "Nice Jewish Boy," their upcoming Bachelor-type reality show, I decided to throw my hat in the ring. After all, who better than me -- a commitment-phobic, ardently secular, anxious, heavily medicated, pale glass of short Jewish water -- to represent the American way?

This could be a chance for me to make a real difference in Israeli-American relations. I began to fantasize about my very own harem of glistening Israeli chicks in sweaty army fatigues, and all that we could do to and for one another in the name of world diplomacy. I'd learn invaluable lessons that only these gorgeous Israelis could teach me: how to shoot an Uzi, how to chain smoke and how to have zero respect for someone's personal space. I, on the other hand, would pass on such valuable American skills as: driving a block away to Starbucks to spend $3 on a cup of coffee, how to say the words "excuse me" and, most importantly, how to apply underarm deodorant.

So, after my initial inquiry and some e-mail exchanges with the producer, I received a phone call from the show's production coordinator in Israel at 6 a.m. No. You heard that right. Six. In the morning.

One Mean Heeb

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on January 9, 2003

At one point in Jonathan Kesselman's "Jewish exploitation" comedy, "The Hebrew Hammer," Mordechai Jefferson Carver strides into a seedy skinhead bar wearing a long leather coat, a black fedora, pais, a tallit and an oversized gold chai. A chalkboard advertises beer on tap such as Old Adolf, but the titular superhero orders "Manischewitz, straight up." Then he crashes a bottle over the bartender's head, whips out two sawed-off shotguns and shouts, "Shabbat Shalom, Motherf------s!"

In this outrageous world of the Hammer (Adam Goldberg), the Orthodox Jewish hero must battle the evil son of Santa (Andy Dick) to save Chanukah.