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Jewish Teens Try For New Dreidel-Spinning Record

By Jim Melwert

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --Watch out dreidel spinners; it looks like there's a new Guinness World Record! Nearly 1000 Jewish teenagers teamed up to take at a shot at the record for most dreidels spinning at the same time in the same room.

The catch is that to count, each dreidel has to spin for 10 seconds.

(Hear Jim Melwert's report)

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"There is a world record of 541 dreidels spun at the same time," United Synagogue Youth Convention Director Karen Stein says.

But the dreidel record attempt is a break from community service, educational programs, and other programs for the over 900 teens, and even if they didn't get the record, she says it's still a success:

"What a great way to really show Jewish living, Jewish life, and such a fun way on the last day of Hanukkah to do this. The kids are really excited."

I'm really hopeful that we can break this record and do really well," one participant said.

"It's in my bones, it's in my heart, we're ready. We wanna win this. I've been practicing, I'm not very good," said another.

And how long has that person been practicing?

"Uh, 17 years. It's fine though, I'll get it one day," the participant laughed.

After numerous attempts, the tally came in at 687, but it will take a few months for the Guinness Book of World Records to certify the results.

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