Brooklyn, NY - In Time For Chanukah: There’s Now a Professional Dreidel League |
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Brooklyn, NY - At long last, the Hanukkah dreidel is getting the respect it deserves.
The four-sided, Hebrew-letter-covered spinning top typically plays a minor role in the annual Festival of Light, but Williamsburg bar owner Eric Harris Pavony wants to change all that through Major League Dreidel, the first “professional” sports “league” for the nation’s top dreidelers.
On Dec. 12, the second night of Hanukkah, MLD Knishioner Pavony will bring his pros — and also the arena, the “Spinagogue” — to the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg for an evening of competition the likes of which the world hasn’t seen since the days of the Second Temple.
“MLD validates the dreidel as a bona-fide sport — and its elite are recognized and respected like professional athletes,” Pavony said. “However, they are paid in chocolate money.”
More than 100 competitors are expected at the MLD debut.
And this is definitely not your zeyda’s dreidel. Unlike traditional contests, where contestants guess the Hebrew letter on which the top will fall, MLD athletes compete to keep the dreidel rotating in the Spinagogue for the longest amount of time.
“Some of the best spinners are non-Jews,” said Pavony. “Also, part of being a great spinner is having a great spinner name like Dr. Dreidel, Spinderella, or The Gentile Giant.”
It’s a pro wrestling spin on an ancient Hanukkah tradition — perfect for our high-tech age, Pavony believes.
“People have all these iPhone apps and video games, but they don’t know how much fun dreidels can be,” he said.
Spoken like a true spinmeister.
Major League Dreidel at the Knitting Factory 
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Read Comments (15) — Post Yours »
1
Nov 30, 2009 at 05:17 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is a wonderful way to be yotzeh on two mitzvahs; recognition and publicly acknowledging the neis of chanukah and gambling with the intention of donating part of the winnings to tzadakah.
2
Nov 30, 2009 at 05:55 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ This is a wonderful way to be yotzeh on two mitzvahs; recognition and publicly acknowledging the neis of chanukah and gambling with the intention of donating part of the winnings to tzadakah. ”
In this case the proceeds will be in chocolate coins
3
Nov 30, 2009 at 05:47 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Major League Dreidel has been around for some time. Nothing new.
I have also seen it featured on a TV documentary on the Holidays for the History Channel.
Seriously.
4
Nov 30, 2009 at 05:49 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
when dreidels dreit a kup , from a yiddesher kup to a misyavnisher kup!
5
Nov 30, 2009 at 07:19 PM gregaaron Says:Report as Inappropriate
Watch out for Gregaaron's Gimmelspinners.
6
Nov 30, 2009 at 06:34 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ In this case the proceeds will be in chocolate coins ”
Before the evening is over, we will somehow be debating whether the coins must be made from cholov yisroel or if the use of cholov stam would be adequate under the right hashgacha.
7
Nov 30, 2009 at 07:48 PM dreidlemeister Says:Report as Inappropriate
How do i sign up? my daughter in Kindergarten is a champion dreidle spinner!!!
8
Nov 30, 2009 at 08:28 PM Shmilfke Says:Report as Inappropriate
Such bitul torah. nebach.
9
Nov 30, 2009 at 08:57 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Such bitul torah. nebach. ”
“ Such bitul torah. nebach.”
What bitul torah do you see here? This competition will help publicize neis chanukah. it is a real kiddush hashem to publicize nissim m'shamayim.
10
Nov 30, 2009 at 09:21 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
And when the in Bobov they have a "Dreidel Tish" is that Bittul Torah too???
11
Nov 30, 2009 at 09:53 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ And when the in Bobov they have a "Dreidel Tish" is that Bittul Torah too??? ”
The Bobovover rebbe has enough clout with the Ebeshter by virtue of his lamdus and yiras shamayim that his chassidim can afford to take some time off for a dreidel tish
12
Nov 30, 2009 at 09:37 PM CPA Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Such bitul torah. nebach. ”
How about you go off the internet if you're so concerned of bital torah
13
Nov 30, 2009 at 10:11 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ And when the in Bobov they have a "Dreidel Tish" is that Bittul Torah too??? ”
Its amazing what the Bobv do with all their spare time...practicing shechita in a preschool in Monsey, playing dreidel at the Rebbe's tish in lieu of singing zmiros, etc.
14
Nov 30, 2009 at 11:29 PM winnersmom Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ How do i sign up? my daughter in Kindergarten is a champion dreidle spinner!!! ”
Chutzpah!! My daughter is only in nursery and can surely knock your daughter's dreidel off the table!
15
Nov 30, 2009 at 11:44 PM nebach Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Such bitul torah. nebach. ”
My feeling is the folks aranging this holy event don't even know what the word "torah" means, it sounds like these are the like yiddish theater yidden , sholom aleicehm apikorsim . Hey they're playing dreidel better than watching TV!