Dreidel world record — is it just spin?

JTA – A Jewish student organization at Binghamton University is claiming to have broken a record for dreidel spinning, but a student newspaper there says the spinners spun out before breaking the mark.

Some 749 dreidels were spun simultaneously for at least 10 seconds Monday night at upstate New York’s Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life, The Associated Press reported, citing the center. That would break the Guinness World Record of 734 set last year by the United Synagogue Youth in Philadelphia.

Organizers of the dreidel spin told the AP that they have photos, video and other necessary documentation that will be submitted for review to the Guinness committee.

But the Pipe Dream student-run publication said the group fell about 40 dreidels short of the mark. It reported that while 749 people were in the room at the time of the joint spin, only about 700 were able to keep their dreidels spinning for the required length of time. Some 900 people were present at the opening of the event, but some did not stay around for the dreidel spin.

The event raised more than $10,000 for an annual toy drive for children with cancer.