| Need to buy a Dreidel for Hanukkah? Sure, in | | | | Think again -- dreidel spinning is no longer just for |
| order to celebrate Hanukkah you’re definitely | | | | kids. It has gone big time, at least in New York |
| going to need a menorah and some candles, but | | | | City, where there is a Major League Dreidel |
| seriously – what’s Hanukkah without a | | | | championship held every year. In 2008 there |
| dreidel? And while it’s an essential, it’s | | | | were no less than 64 competitors, each with his |
| one item you’re quite likely not to be able to | | | | or her own spinning technique, vying for the title. |
| find when you’re preparing for the holiday, | | | | The contest, held at a bar on the Lower East |
| getting out your menorah and candles from | | | | Side, lasted about 5 hours, with the championship |
| wherever you’ve been storing them. | | | | title going to a gent known as Virtual Dreidel, who |
| Why you can’t find it is no mystery – | | | | triumphed over rival spinners with nicknames such |
| that cute but crafty little devil has a way of | | | | as “Tasmanian Dreidel,” setting a new |
| spinning itself out of sight, into a floor heating | | | | world record of 15.4 seconds. |
| grate, into a dustball, who knows where it goes | | | | So, since a dreidel is not something you can run |
| to hide, never to be found again. So, given the | | | | out to the corner store to buy when you realize |
| central role the beloved toy plays in the | | | | at the last minute that you don’t have one, |
| enjoyment of this holiday -- arguably the most | | | | buy now! Where to find dreidels? Go online! |
| fun holiday in the Jewish calendar – put | | | | At online Judaica stores like you can get dreidels in |
| “Buy a Dreidel” in the No. 1 position on | | | | designs you didn’t even know exist, made of |
| your Hanukkah preparation checklist – no, | | | | materials other than the traditional wood and |
| better yet: “Buy dreidels” so you’ll | | | | plastic. How about aluminum– think speed! |
| have enough to last the eight nights. | | | | Have a happy Hanukkah, and don’t forget to |
| As you read this, are you forming an image in | | | | go online and buy a dreidel! |
| your mind of little tykes happily spinning away? | | | | |