Hanukkah is a holiday filled with suspense. Will the Maccabees find a way to beat the mighty Syrian Greek army? Will the holy oil (enough for only one night) last until new oil arrives?
So naturally on Hanukkah we play a game of suspense. We put tokens in the middle of a circle of players (the pot) and spin a four-sided top called a dreidel. Will the dreidel land on the Hebrew letter Gimel (player takes everything in the pot) or Hey (takes half the pot)? Or will it land on Nun (takes nothing) or Shin (puts one token in the pot)?
Each time we spin, we hope for a small miracle: that the dreidel will land on Gimel. So let the spin begin!
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Tracks 1, 2, 3, and 4
“The Dreidel Song” (also known as “I Have a Little Dreidel”) was first released in the 1920s with music by Samuel E. Goldfarb and lyrics by Samuel S. Grossman.
In Track 1, can you spin like a dreidel whenever the music gets fast —and then stop to catch your breath when the music gets slow?
In Track 2, can you make up your own dance moves to “The Dreidel Song”?
In Track 3, the singer sings about different things a dreidel could be made of (besides clay). What could you make a dreidel out of? Use your imagination!
Track 4 is best danced to with someone else. Can you find a dance partner? The Hebrew phrase nes gadol haya sham means “a great miracle happened there.” In Israel, the phrase is nes gadol haya po, “a great miracle happened here”— and on a dreidel the letter Shin is replaced by the Hebrew letter Peh.
Track 1 - "Dreidle"
This song is performed by Josh and the Jamtones.
Track 2 "I Have a Little Dreidel"
This version is performed by the pioneering a cappella group Rockapella.
Track 3 "I Have a Little Dreidel"
This version is written and performed by Rabbi Yossi Berktin (aka Rabbi B).
Track 4 "Swingin’ Dreidel"
This version is performed by cantor-musician Kenny Ellis.
Track 5
Klezmer music, which originated among Jews of Eastern Europe, usually includes a clarinet and an accordion, but in this track the band consists of only three instruments: a violin, a drum, and an instrument that makes a twang called a mouth harp. Do you hear the twang? The mouth harp is played by putting the frame between your lips in front of your teeth, plucking the reed, and moving your tongue inside your mouth.
- What sort of spinning dance can you make up to this song?
Track 5 "Spin, Dreydl, Spin"
Written by Lisa Gutkin and performed by the klezmer band the Klezmatics.
Track 6
The Hebrew words of this classic Israeli song mean “Dreidel, spin, spin, spin / Hanukkah is an awesome holiday / It’s a happy holiday for the Jewish people / A great miracle happened there.” The spoken Spanish interlude in this song talks about the smell of a latke (in Hebrew, leviva) and dreidels so fast they make you dizzy!
- Can you spin a dreidel while you listen to this song?
Track 6 "Sevivon Sov Sov Sov (Dreidel, Spin, Spin, Spin)"
Lyrics by Levin Kipnis to a folk melody. Performed by Comunidad Bet-El de Mexico..
Tracks 7 and 8
Do you get out of control when you’re spinning like a dreidel? Just don’t get too close to the Hanukkah menorah (in Hebrew, hanukkiah) or the jelly doughnuts (in Hebrew, sufganiyot).
- While you’re going round in a circle, can you stand on your toes? Clap your hands? Jump high? Run fast? Hop? Tap your toes?
- If you can do all these things, then you’re a super Hanukkah dancer!
Track 7 "Spinning"
Written by Joanie Leeds and performed by Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights.
Track 8 "Hanukkah Dance"
Written and performed by legendary folk musician Woody Guthrie.
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More
Hanukkah Get Together Idea: The Great Dreidel Night
The History of Dreidels
Printable: How to Play Dreidel
November 1, 2026