Avon screenwriter at the height of her writing experience with upcoming Hallmark Christmas and Hanukkah movies

Julie Sherman Wolfe has been writing Hallmark Channel romances for years. Many were filmed in Connecticut or were set in a fictionalized version of her town of Avon. The two movies she wrote this year, however, have thrilled her more than anything else she’s done.

“They’re both kind of a career moment for me. They’re the height of my experience as a writer,” Wolfe said.

“A Holiday Spectacular” will make its debut on Nov. 27. It tells the story of a 1950s Philadelphia heiress who is unsatisfied with her engagement, set up by her family. Secretly, she is in love with dancing. Unknown to her family, she decides to audition to become one of the legendary Rockettes.

“Hanukkah on Rye,” Wolfe’s first Hanukkah movie, makes its debut on the first day of Hanukkah, Dec. 18. It takes its plot outline from the classic film “Shop Around the Corner,” which also inspired “You’ve Got Mail.”

It tells the story of Molly, who battles the opening of a chain deli coming to her neighborhood, where her family has owned a deli for 100 years. Molly doesn’t know the matchmaker finding her a mate also has another client: the rival deli owner.

Wolfe called “Spectacular” a bigger movie than Hallmark usually does.

“The topic is that time in the country in the late 50s when women were starting to find their voices and decide what they wanted for themselves,” she said. “It’s a strong story with parallels to strong women in Hollywood. It’s not the easiest thing to become a writer and have a long career.”

“Hanukkah on Rye” has personal meaning for Wolfe, who is Jewish. Like Molly, Wolfe’s ancestors immigrated from Europe about 100 years ago. So did the ancestors of Liz Yost, who is the vice president of original programming and development at Hallmark.

“Liz’s family came in 1914. Mine came around the same time. I got some letters from her about her grandmother’s journey on the ship. I am trying to tell it in the way most immigrants who came into New York remembered. It was not a fun journey. Many escaped pogroms. They struggled in those tenements for a long time and ultimately found their way to success,” she said.

“Hanukkah” stars Yael Grobglas and Broadway veteran Jeremy Jordan (“Newsies”). Singer Lisa Loeb does a brief appearance. It was filmed in Winnipeg standing in for New York City.

“Spectacular” was filmed at the Rockettes’ New York City mothership, Radio City Music Hall, and in upstate New York. About 20 current and former Rockettes can be seen in the film. It stars Broadway veterans Derek Klena (“Jagged Little Pill”) and Ginna Claire Mason (“Wicked”) and features film veteran Ann-Margret and “Brady Bunch” alum Eve Plumb.

“Spectacular” had a premiere screening at Radio City Music Hall. “It was just so special to be there. I never thought I’d see my name on a screen at Radio City Music Hall. I am taking time to take that in and process it,” she said.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.