Mattel has faced criticism following the release of its first official Hanukkah Barbie doll as part of a Holiday Sweaters collection. Social media users, particularly on Reddit, have taken issue with the doll's facial features, specifically noting that it has a noticeably larger and hooked nose compared to the classic Barbie design and the two companion Christmas-themed dolls in the collection. Some commentators have suggested this could inadvertently reference antisemitic stereotypes about Jewish people.

The $30 Hanukkah Barbie features olive-toned skin, brown hair, and wears a cobalt sweater decorated with a menorah, dreidels and Stars of David, paired with blue checkered leggings and Ugg boots. The doll appears to use an updated version of the 'Violet' mould, first created in 2018. Whilst the criticism has focussed on the perceived caricaturing of Jewish features, the launch also received positive responses from some members of the Jewish community. Rabbi Yael Buchler of Riverdale expressed enthusiasm for the doll, noting that Barbie's original inventor, Ruth Handler, was Jewish and would have appreciated the tribute.