Ohioan Creator of the 'Mensch on a Bench'
Neal Hoffman, a Cincinnati resident and former Hasbro employee, created the 'Mensch on a Bench,' a Hanukkah-themed toy inspired by the Elf on a Shelf, to celebrate Jewish traditions with humor and education. The toy, which teaches children about being a mensch and retells the story of the Maccabees, has become a popular cultural phenomenon, supported by a successful Kickstarter campaign and a pitch on Shark Tank, leading to a range of related characters and toys that aim to promote Jewish joy and identity.