1200 Dreidels and One Grandmother: 'Maybe I'll Overtake My Grandchildren'

Miriam Vaniel (81) from Herzliya is not just a storytelling grandmother but a grandmother from the fairy tales. She has a rare collection of one thousand two hundred types of dreidels collected over the years from fifty countries around the world, and she still doesn't tire.

"I started collecting dreidels at the age of 35," says Vaniel. "I didn't intend to make it a collection at first; it started with a dreidel I bought for my only daughter when she was two years old. Then it continued, year after year, dreidel after dreidel, and over the years I realized I had a rare collection."

From All Over the World

How did you manage to get one thousand two hundred types of dreidels?

"When I realized I was a dreidel collector, it started accompanying me everywhere. Thus, everywhere I visited around the world, which means forty-seven countries, the first thing I would look for was dreidels I hadn't seen anywhere else, and so, every year, more and more dreidels were added."

How is it possible that so many types of dreidels exist?

"Look at the collection," Vaniel answers me, "Do you see what it's composed of? It's made up of various categories. There are dreidels made of ceramic, aluminum, glass, plastic, and paper. In addition to the materials from which the dreidels are made, there are also divisions according to size, shape, style, and country of origin. These are things that make each dreidel unique in its own right."

When Grandma Vaniel tells me about the places she traveled in the world, I begin to understand how she managed to obtain such a rare collection. "I've been to China, Thailand, Russia, Japan, India, Spain, France, Holland, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Bulgaria, Greece, Belgium, in short, almost all over the world."

Grandma Vaniel doesn't keep the collection to herself. "Twenty-five years ago, I decided to make a display at home of all the dreidels, and since then my collection has only grown. People, friends, and family, anyone who knows me brings me dreidels wherever they are."

Who can come to see the collection?

"Everyone comes. My house is completely open, and anyone who wishes can come to my home and see the display. Acquaintances, neighbors, family, and everyday people from Israel come here. This year the display will last two weeks, so there's enough time for more groups to come and enjoy. During the display, we talk a lot about Chanukah and dreidels, and we also share various stories related to Chanukah. It has become a tradition and a way for me to connect with the holiday, giving me the privilege to celebrate Chanukah in a very special and unique way, with many people, creativity, and great joy.

"Overall," she adds after a short thought, "there's a very cute phenomenon here - children who visited me when they were ten years old now come with their spouse or husband and children, to enjoy again and spin and twirl in my collection. More than that, I'll tell you - some even come with their grandchildren."

In conclusion, Grandma Vaniel talks about her grandchildren: "I have two grandsons aged 11 and 13 who bring their friends here and are proud of their grandmother. It makes me happy, even though there are dreidels they manage to spin that I can't."