2018.014.019 [Doll]

This doll, named Yonit, explains how to play the draydel (or dreidel) game, a traditional Jewish game that is played during Hanukkah. The draydel dates back to the time of the Maccabees, a group of Jewish rebel warriors in Judea, or present day Israel. At this time, Jewish children were forbidden from studying the Torah, which is the Jewish holy text. Whenever a Greek official approached children who were studying the Torah, the children put away their books and played with spinning tops. Today's spinning tops, the draydels, have four sides that are decorated with four Hebrew letters. If the draydel lands on the letter gimel during the game, then that player wins. Content can be used with the following standards: 3rd grade SS 3.28 Cultural Contributions in a lesson on religions practiced in Iowa, such as Judaism and its associated rituals/traditions. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions.