Crafted by architect Charles Harris, this collection of architectural dreidels reinterprets iconic skyscrapers into spinning ceremonial art.
Inspired by his hometown skyline of New York City, Charles developed a career designing large-scale buildings—and a passion for turning monumental forms into delicate, functional sculpture. Printed with precision to ensure a smooth, balanced spin, each piece bridges the gap between modern architectural design and timeless Judaica.
Why Dreidels?
During the 2nd century BCE, King Antiochus IV banned the practice of Judaism, including Torah study. According to traditional accounts, Jewish children would gather to study in secret. If Greek soldiers approached, the children would quickly hide their scrolls and pull out spinning tops to pretend they were merely playing a game of chance.
Why Skyscrapers?
At first glance, a 2,000-year-old ceremonial top and a modern skyscraper seem worlds apart. Yet from an architectural and symbolic standpoint, they share a surprising amount of structural DNA.
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Symmetry Around a Central Axis: Both a skyscraper and a dreidel depend entirely on vertical balance. A skyscraper resists gravity and wind loads through a strong structural core; a dreidel depends on that exact center of mass to achieve a stable, long-lasting spin.
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Tapering and Load Transfer: The famous "setbacks" of iconic skyscrapers—like the Empire State Building or Chrysler Building—were designed to let light reach the street and manage structural loads. In a dreidel, those same tapered geometry steps act as natural mass redistribution, creating a smooth transition from a wide body to a refined spinning tip.
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The Play of Dynamic Light: A skyscraper’s facade changes constantly as the sun moves across its faceted glass and steel. As a dreidel spins, those geometric facades rotate rapid-fire, transforming static architectural forms into dynamic, light-refracting sculptures.
Design Patent Pending 2026