Welcoming Shabbat with Lecha Dodi by the Maccabeats

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University's student vocal group, the Maccabeats have emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena, with a large fan base, more than 50 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with four albums.

In this video, a trio from the Maccabeats sing an excerpt from Lecha Dodi, a major liturgical piece from the Kabbalat Shabbat service sung on Friday night.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

Here Come the Chanukah Videos: The Maccabeats Turn a Wicked Song Into a Tribute to Jewish Survival

With so many Jewish singing groups coming up with Chanukah parodies and new lyrics for songs from the hit movie Wicked, we expected one from the Maccabeats and here it is.

In 2010 The Maccabeats, an a cappella group from Yeshiva University, released their first Hanukkah music video, Candlelight, and every Hanukkah (and other holidays) since then we've seen many more videos by them and lots of other groups.

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena,  with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with three albums, 2010′s Voices From The Heights, 2012′s Out Of The Box and 2014′s One Day More.

Many of their songs are parodies of pop hits, and this Chanukah they're continuing the tradition with new lyrics for the movie's signature song Defying Gravity that celebrates  the spirit of the Jewish people. The lyrics appear below.

Enjoy!

 

 

Lyrics 

 

Some things have changed around us 

Some things have stayed the same 

Through every change we’ve weathered 

Our spirit always burns the same. 

 

When shadows rise to meet us 

Our flame will burn through the night 

An ancient spark ignites 

And fills the void with light. 

 

We’ll rise above, defying gravity 

Through every trial defying gravity 

And they won’t bring us down. 

 

Our light will continue to shine 

this flame is no trick or delusion 

Never accepted limits, 

Cause someone says they're so

 

Thousands of years so far 

But we’ve still got a ways to go. 

No time to be afraid of 

Those who’d try to see us gone 

They didn’t know the strength that we’ve had all along. 

 

We’ll rise above, defying gravity 

Through every trial defying gravity 

And they won’t bring us down. 

So if your faith is shaken 

Pray to the Eastern sky 

As someone told me lately 

Od Avinu, Am Yisrael Chai 

 

We’re never flying solo 

We’re never left alone 

To those who’d ground us 

Here’s a message of our own 

 

We'll rise above, defying gravity 

We’ll shine our light, defying gravity 

And we will make our presence known. 

In every land that we call home 

We’ll say it loud and make it known, 

You’re never gonna bring us down.

The Maccabeats: Behind the Scenes at the March for Israel at the National Mall in Washington, DC

On November 14, the Maccabeats, the a cappella group that started out as Yeshiva University's student vocal group, performed on stage at the end of the March and Rally for Israel on the National Mall in Washington, DC. We posted their performance two days later here on Jewish Humor Central.

As they headed to Washington, the Maccabeats created a vlog (video blog) of their preparations for the trip, and included scenes of the 290,000 other participants getting ready for the day of support for Israel.

This vlog takes you behind the scenes and behind the massive stage where singers, political leaders, and Jewish community leaders addressed the unprecedented crowd. 

It's a piece of an important day in American Jewish history that we should always remember. 

Am Yisrael Chai!

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Maccabeats Sing "Acheinu" at Massive March and Rally for Israel in Washington D.C.

On November 14, at the end of the march and rally for Israel on the mall in Washington, D.C., the Maccabeats took the stage and sang the prayer Acheinu.

Their voices were joined by the voices of the 290,000 people who attended the rally.

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena,  with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with four albums.

Acheinu kol beit yisrael, Acheinu kol beit yisrael, han'tunim b'tzara, b'tzara uvashivyah, haomdim bein bayam uvein bayabasha. Hamakom Y'racheim, Y'racheim Aleihem v'yotziem mitzara lirvacha, um'afaila l'orah umishiabud lig'ulah, hashta ba'agala uvizman kariv.

אַחֵינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַנְּתוּנִים בְּצָרָה וּבַשִּׁבְיָה, הָעוֹמְדִים בֵּין בַּיָּם וּבֵין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה, הַמָּקוֹם יְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם, וְיוֹצִיאֵם מִצָּרָה לִרְוָחָה, וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה, הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב.

Translation: As for our brothers,​ the whole house of Israel, who are given over to trouble or captivity​, whether they abide on the sea or on the dry land: May the All-prese​nt have mercy upon them, and bring them forth from distress to relief, from darkness to light, and from subjectio​n to redemptio​n, now speedily and at a near time.  A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Three a Cappella Groups Unite to Sing Prayer for Welfare of State of Israel

When words fail, as they often have after the events of the past weeks, we turn to song and prayer. 

This week three of the most popular Jewish a cappella groups -- The Maccabeats, Six13, and J-Studs -- have combined their voices to perform Avinu SheBashamayim, the Prayer for the Welfare of the State of Israel.  

Sending comfort to the bereaved, wishes for a speedy return of the hostages, and prayers for the safety for our brave brothers and sisters called up to protect Eretz Yisrael. Am Yisrael Chai! 

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The Maccabeats Sing The Star Spangled Banner at Madison Square Garden

On April 3, 2022, in honor of NY Rangers Jewish Heritage Night, the Maccabeats performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Madison Square Garden.  

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena,  with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with four albums.

Enjoy, and have a happy Fourth of July tomorrow.

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Here Come the Chanukah Videos - "Illuminating" by the Maccabeats

In 2010 The Maccabeats, an a cappella group from Yeshiva University, released their first Hanukkah music video, Candlelight, and every Hanukkah (and other holidays) since then we've seen many more videos by them and lots of other groups.

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena,  with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with three albums, 2010′s Voices From The Heights, 2012′s Out Of The Box and 2014′s One Day More.

Many of their songs are parodies of pop hits, and this Chanukah they're continuing the tradition with Illuminating, a parody of Levitating, a song by English singer Dua Lipa.

Enjoy!

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Here Come the Passover Videos: The Maccabeats Take Us Through the Seder Finale

In 2010 The Maccabeats, an a cappella group from Yeshiva University, released their first Hanukkah music video, Candlelight, and every Hanukkah (and other holidays) since then we've seen many more videos by them and lots of other groups.

 Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena,  with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with three albums, 2010′s Voices From The Heights, 2012′s Out Of The Box and 2014′s One Day More.

Many of the songs are parodies of pop hits, but this Pesach we're sharing their latest hit, a musical trip through the seder finale with traditional seder melodies. Starting with Chasal Siddur Pesach (Nirtzah) we revisit L'Shana Ha'Ba'ah BiYerushalayim, Ki Lo Naeh, Adir Hu, Echad Mi Yodeah and Chad Gadya.

Enjoy!

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Here Come the Rosh Hashanah Videos - The Maccabeats Sing "Bashana Haba'ah"

With Rosh Hashanah only nine days away, we're continuing our sharing of music videos with a new version of Bashana Haba'ah (In the Coming Year), a song of hope for the year to come.

This version is sung by the Maccabeats. Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena,  with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with four albums. 

Though the Maccabeats aren’t your grandfather’s synagogue choir, their ideology and identity play an important part in what they do. Strongly committed to the philosophy of Torah u-Madda, the integration of traditional and secular wisdom, the Maccabeats perform an eclectic array of Jewish, American, and Israeli songs.

Enjoy!

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Here Come the Chanukah Videos: The Maccabeats sing the Dreidel Song in 8 Musical Genres

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena, with a large fanbase, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with four albums.

After years of performing parodies of pop songs with original lyrics, the Maccabeats have taken on the Chanukah classic I Have a Little Dreidel with the original lyrics and sing it in eight different musical styles: Big Band, Bluegrass, HipHop, the 80s, Blues, Classical, Reggaeton, and Gospel.

Enjoy!

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The Maccabeats Release Hebrew/English Version of Pop Hit "Despacito"

Despacito (English: "Slowly") is a single by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi featuring Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee from the former's upcoming studio album. 

On January 12, 2017, Universal Music Latin released "Despacito" and its music video, which shows both artists performing the song in La Perla neighborhood of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico and the local bar La Factoría. The song's music video is the first video to reach over three billion views on YouTube. 

The Maccabeats, originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, have just released a Hebrew/English version of Despacito.

The original Spanish version (shown in this link with Hebrew subtitles) is a reggaeton-pop song composed in common time with lyrics about having a sexual relationship, performed in a smooth and romantic way. It became the first song primarily in Spanish to top the Billboard Hot 100 since Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix) in 1996.

The words of the Maccabeats English/Hebrew version, originally recorded by Amram Adar and Itzik Shamli, are not a translation of the Spanish lyrics, but advice about learning to savor every moment slowly and trust in God when you feel like you're being pulled in all directions.

The complete English/Hebrew lyrics appear just below the video. Enjoy! 

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 Lyrics

Like being pulled in all directions
Tryin’ to be thankful for my blessings, yeah
It’s like I never learn my lesson, yeah
I need a sunrise on my darkest day
Quit this feeling I just can’t shake
Learn how to savor every moment slowly, slowly

אם אתה מרגיש שאתה כל הזמן רוצה,
להספיק הכל פשוט תזכור,
כי הכל כתוב מלמעלה אז תנסה,
סמוך על הבורא הכל יכול,

שוב,יש תנועה בדרך אל העבודה,
אתה רץ לא לאחר אל הפגישה,
ואולי מרגיש שכל יום כמו מרוץ פה,
גם,גם אם אתה קצת מתוסכל
ונראה לך שזהו המזל,
בטח בשם ותאמין בו

דספסיטו
קח את החיים שלך בדספסיטו,
כל דבר בזמן שלו יבוא קרידו,
וכל עכבה זה טוב רק תאמין בו,

לאן כולם רצים לאן? תגידו?
תרגל מהגז תורידו,
החיים יפים תביטו...
לאן כולם ממהרים לאן תגידו תרגל מהגז תורידו
החיים יפים תביטו

דספסיטו,
קח את החיים שלך, בדספסיטו,
כל דבר בזמן שלו יבוא קרידו,
וכל עכבה זה טוב רק תאמין בו,

ואז פתאום תראה שלעבוד,
בלי לחצים אפשר ללמוד,
הכל יהיה פשוט מאוד,
אחרת איך אפשר לשרוד,
את החיים שלך תתחיל לקחת בקלות,
זמן זה כסף אך בלי אושר אין לו משמעות תלות,
עצור לחשוב לפני שתאחר את הרכבת, הילדים גודלים ומה נישאר רק המזכרת,
תגיד להם איזו מילה טובה ותחבק,
יש רגעים שבשבילם תתנתק,
ניסית ניסית, מה שלא עשית,
את הכל רצית,
בנית בנית,
מה שלא ראית, איך שהזמן עובר כאן
ולא יחזור שוב לאחור
לחייך.

אם אתה מרגיש שאתה כל הזמן רוצה,
להספיק הכל פשוט תזכור...

דספסיטו,
קח את החיים שלך בדספסיטו,
כל דבר בזמן שלו יבוא קרידו,
וכל עכבה זה טוב רק תאמין בו,
דספסיטו

Here Come the Passover Videos: The Maccabeats Take a Cappella and Ma Nishtana to a New Level

The Maccabeats, originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, have entertained and inspired hundreds of audiences worldwide, from Alabama to (New) Zealand and everywhere in between.

Until now, they have been using nothing more than the unadulterated human voice, a clean-cut presentation, and a little Jewish humor,

With the release of their latest music video for Passover, the Maccabeats have added a new twist to a cappella. They still don't use musical instruments, but include sound effects from the seder table -- wine glasses filled to different levels to produce different notes, a Haggadah with pages ruffled to make sounds, a bowl of karpas to make a dipping sound, and matza to provide a crunch.

Pesach is almost upon us. Tomorrow's Joke to Start the Week will have a Pesach theme, and then we'll be taking the first two days of Passover off to spend time with our family in Jerusalem, returning with more Jewish Humor on Thursday.

Enjoy!

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Orthodox Jewish Beatboxers Surprise Judges on "America's Got Talent"

Two Orthodox Jewish boys got a big ovation from the audience attending auditions for "America's Got Talent" last month. Their beatboxing performance was praised as cute and unusual. Unfortunately they were eliminated in the next round.

As Jesse Bernstein wrote in Tablet,

Beatboxing duo and friends Ilan Swartz-Brownstein and Joshua Shlomo Mendel Leviton made a smart choice to call themselves “Ilan and Josh,” because their full names are a mouthful even for members of the Tribe, let alone Gentiles.

Though they “don’t look like your typical beatboxers,” as stated during the duo’s audition on America’s Got Talent, make no mistake: these young men can flat-out spit. Tuesday’s performance was received with thunderous applause from the audience and four “yes” votes from the celebrity judges.

Based in New York, Ilan and Josh met a few years ago at the Kotel. From there, they hit it off. Leviton, who also calls himself “The Orthobox,” provides the beat (he’s even performed with The Maccabeats); meanwhile, Brownstein (aka “The Aleph Bass”), an aspiring religious singer, spits the tune to their creations.

You may find their sound familiar because they previously provided beatbox background sounds for the Maccabeats and the Y-Studs, two a cappella groups that we have featured on Jewish Humor Central.

Enjoy!

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A New Chanukah Music Video From The Maccabeats - "The Latke Recipe"

In 2010 The Maccabeats, an a cappella group from Yeshiva University, released their first Hanukkah music video, Candlelight, and every Hanukkah (and other holidays) since then we've seen many more videos by them and lots of other groups.

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena,  with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with three albums, 2010′s Voices From The Heights, 2012′s Out Of The Box and 2014′s One Day More.

Many of the songs are parodies of pop hits and The Maccabeats' latest is no exception. The Latke Recipe is a parody of the pop song "Shut Up And Dance" originally performed by Walk the Moon, a song that has 143 million views on YouTube since it was posted in October 2014.

Enjoy!

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Shabbat Around the World Ends With Inspiring Havdalah by Maccabeats and Netanel Hershtik

Last week, thousands of Jews in 550 cities around the world celebrated Shabbat together. Inspired by an idea that came from South Africa's Chief Rabbi, Warren Goldstein, they took part in communal meals, prayer services, as well as participating in challah bakes, havdalah concerts and other activities.

At the conclusion of last year's worldwide Shabbos Project observance, the a cappella group The Maccabeats joined with Cantor Netanel Hershtik in a moving Havdalah service. 

The music video of this service provides a beautiful transition from Shabbat to the rest of the week, including images of participants singing in London, Johannesburg, Sydney, Dallas, New York, Buenos Aires, Melbourne, Vienna, Five Towns, East Brunswick, and Hong Kong.

Enjoy!

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A New Multi-Genre Twist on Dayenu by the Maccabeats

The Maccabeats, an a cappella group that started out in 2009 as Yeshiva University's student vocal group, has come a long way. 

Now an independent musical ensemble, and often traveling with little more than the shirts on their backs and the ties on their necks, the Maccabeats have entertained and inspired hundreds of audiences worldwide, from Alabama to New Zealand and everywhere in between. 

Using nothing more than the unadulterated human voice, a clean-cut presentation, and a little Jewish humor, this unique group of singers is able to connect with fans of all backgrounds and ages.

This week they released their latest holiday video, a version -- actually multiple versions -- of Dayenu, one of the most popular songs in the Passover Haggadah. In the space of four minutes, they offer doo-wop, polka, funk, metal, island, dubstep (electronic music), and barbershop.

Enjoy!

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Maccabeats Come Up With Another Hanukkah Hit - "All About That Neis"

 

In 2010 The Maccabeats, an a cappella group from Yeshiva University, released their first Hanukkah music video, Candlelight, and every Hanukkah (and other holidays) since then we've seen many more videos by them and lots of other groups.

Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena,  with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with three albums, 2010′s Voices From The Heights, 2012′s Out Of The Box and 2014′s One Day More.

Many of the songs are parodies of pop hits and The Maccabeats' latest is no exception. Using the pop song All About that Bass as a basis, they sing about the neis (miracle) of Chanukah.

Enjoy!

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Maccabeats Release New Song About Home in New York and Jerusalem

Yeshiva University's a cappella group, the Maccabeats, have built up quite a following among lovers of Jewish a cappella singing. 

Their voices have been prominent among the growing number of music videos that are released before most Jewish holidays.

They have just released a new music video called Home. It's a medley of popular songs combined to express the feeling that home can be in a New York apartment or in the neighborhoods of Jerusalem. It's filmed on a Manhattan rooftop and on the George Washington Bridge in New York and the new Chord Bridge (Bridge of Strings) at the entrance to Jerusalem.

Enjoy!

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(A tip of the kippah to Sheila Zucker for bringing this song to our attention.)

Maccabeats Sing Matisyahu's "One Day" on Katie Couric's Talk Show

Yeshiva University's a cappella group, The Maccabeats, have come a long way since 2007, when they were just a bunch of yeshiva boys in a college vocal group. 

Their videos have scored millions of page views on Internet sites and they have performed their hit songs around the US and Canada, including a Chanukah appearance at the White House.

Just a few weeks ago they showed up on Katie Couric's weekday TV talk show. Couric welcomed them and got Julian Horowitz, their musical director, talking about how they started the group. Since Chanukah had already come and gone, their choice of a song for the show was Matisyahu's One Day, a reggae anthem for hope of peace.

Enjoy!

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