Hillel Center falls short of world record for most dreidels spun

About 300 people showed up Sunday for the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center’s “dreidel spin” to break the Guinness Book of Records record for the most dreidels spun at the same time.\nThe Hillel center wanted to break the record of 541 spun dreidels that was set in 2005 by a synagogue in New Jersey, but the group fell short of its goal. \nThe official results will not be announced until they are sent into Guinness and recorded.\n“It is a little disappointing we could not break the record,” said Andy Gitelson, Hillel assistant director. “But any time you get that many people together for a Jewish event, it is a positive thing.”\nIn 2003, the center organized a similar event, setting the record with 517 people each spinning a dreidel, but it was never official with Guinness.\nBefore the spinning, Hanukkah-related food provided by the Indiana Memorial Union was available, and the Jewish a cappella group, HooShir, performed. When participants registered, they received a free dreidel.\n“It was really good to see people coming out for a Jewish cause, and there was a lot of good energy,” said Tehila Wiesenberg, a community member. “The singing group was fantastic and really talented.”\nThe people in attendance ranged from all ages including faculty members, students and members of the Bloomington community. To promote the event, organizers sent out personal invitations out to all religious and ethnic groups, placed flyers in dorms and apartments and handed flyers out at the Indiana men’s basketball game vs. Georgia Tech.\n“The dreidel is associated with Hanukkah, but the dreidel spinning we did wasn’t related to any particular religion,” said Dena Kranzberg, president of the Hillel Center. “We invited the entire campus. We wanted to bring people together to do something cool and break a world record.”\nOther attendees felt the event was successful in bringing in a diverse group of people. \n“The event was great because it raised awareness for multi-culturalism and religious tolerance,” sophomore Daniel Saidman said. “It was a success also because we raised a lot of money for Toys for Tots, so kids can have toys for the holiday season.”\nPeople could donate to Toys for Tots by bringing wrapped toys or donating money while at the event. The event was taped and will be televised by the National Lampoon Network, which is Channel Two on campus stations.\n“The rain was a huge deterrence,” Saidman said. “Had it not been for the poor weather maybe we could have broken the record. But breaking the record was not the point, it was to have fun.”\nIn preparation for Hanukkah, which starts Tuesday, the Hillel Center will be celebrating throughout the week with events going until Dec. 11. Candle lighting and free Hanukkah food will be available at different resident halls, the Hillel Center and a variety of other locations across campus. For more information, go to www.iuhillel.org.