Temple Israel presents the Maccabeats

by | Feb 10, 2022 | What’s Happening

Sunday, March 13, 7:30 pm, streaming on screens, $36

Few acts speak to Jewish audiences more than the Maccabeats, and on Sunday, March 13, Temple Israel will present this amazing a capella group. The performance will be available to view from the comfort and safety of home.

The 14-member all male ensemble that came together at Yeshiva University in 2007, will treat the audience to a concert of their clever covers and parodies of contemporary hits using Jewish-themed lyrics. Whether the inspiration is a Jewish holiday (like the brilliant Hanukah-themed The Latke Recipe, All About that Neis or Candlelight) or Jewish takeoffs on songs by Ed Sheeran, Pink, Meghan Trainor, and others, the Maccabeats have become a sensation, both in-person and on the internet.

The Maccabeats have performed twice at the White House (2011 and 2015), at the Knesset, as well as in China, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Mexico, Chile, South Africa, London, Italy…and in Virginia Beach at the Sandler Family Campus. They have a “clean-cut” look, performing in white dress shirts, skinny black ties, dress slacks, and knit yarmulkes. The group sees its mission as a fulfillment of Torah Umadda (Torah and secular knowledge). In the words of member Ari Lewis, the Maccabeats embrace the ideal of “living a life of Torah and Judaism, and simultaneously a successful secular life.”

In addition to seeing and hearing the Maccabeats sing and stream on personal computers or TVs in a concert curated just for Temple Israel, the group will answer questions live about their history, their style, their mission, their relationships, and their future posed by former synagogue president and local TV talk show host, Joel Rubin.

To secure the link, purchase a reasonably priced ticket, just $36 per person (be a sport and buy one for each viewer in your household because it supports a local Jewish institution). There are sponsorships too, all Hebrew labeled: Chag (Holiday) for $250; Tehani (Have Fun) for $500; Shana Tova (Happy New Year) for $1,000; Chofesh (Freedom) for $2,500; and Simcha (Gladness) for $5,000.

Go to Temple Israel’s website at templeisraelva.org or call the office at 489-4550 to reserve a “seat” for the Maccabeats.

Joel Rubin