Worldwide YouTube sensations The Maccabeats are Beth Ora bound

By Mike Cohen, October 12th, 2012

A mere five years ago a group of  Yeshiva University students in New York started a  vocal group which they called The Maccabeats. What began as a fun, extra-curricular activity has attracted international stardom and a fan base of more than 10 million views and counting on YouTube.
“A lot of us thought when  we started the videos that they  would be small and something our friends and family would watch,” member  Jeffrey Ritholtz told The Suburban in a telephone interview.”Nobody thought we would go viral like this and people really seem to be inspired by our music.”
This Jewish music and a cappella phenomena have already performed across the globe, from Alabama to New  Zealand and everywhere in between. As their website declares, they use nothing more than the unadulterated human voice, a clean-cut presentation, and a little Jewish humor, thereby connecting with fans of all backgrounds and ages.
The Maccabeats will help kick off  60th anniversary celebrations for Beth Ora Congregation in the Montreal borough of St. Laurent with a Shabbat performance on Friday, October 19 (6:30 p.m.) and a full concert on Saturday, October 20 (8:30 p.m.). The group has been to Montreal once before and has also performed twice in Toronto and once in Ottawa.
For The Maccabeats, proven success can be measured in two albums: 2010?s Voices From The Heights and 2012?s Out Of The Box. Their clever videos thematically connected to Chanukah, Purim, Rosh Hashanah and the Book of Life are so addictive that viewers continually want to share them on Facebook. The songs are takeoffs on popular hits. All members are orthodox Jews and present-day or graduates of Yeshiva University. There are 14 singers in all, which enables them to travel at least seven at time. “Since this is essentially part-time work for us and we often have commitments on the road more than once  a week it enables us to split things up nicely,” says Ritholtz. “I am  second year law student, for instance. Another member is in medical school. Others sell insurance or work in different businesses. We all love the experience, that is for sure.”
Performing an eclectic array of Jewish, American, and Israeli songs,  the breakthrough piece of the Maccabeats was Lecha Dodi, combining some of the most beloved words of Jewish liturgy with Leonard Cohen’s meaningful and melodic Hallelujah. Told that Cohen is from Montreal and set to present two soldout shows at the Bell Centre,  Ritholtz said, “we would certainly love to meet him one day.”
Tickets for the Friday, October 19 Shabbaton are $25 for members ($12 for children) and $30 ($15 for children).  Tickets are $20 for the concert. For more information call -514-748-6559