Musical Showcase: Meet Hooshir - Indiana University's a Cappella Group Singing Lecha Dodi

Music is an important part of our mix at Jewish Humor Central. 

Jewish a cappella singing has been growing in popularity in recent years. Most groups originated as an extracurricular college activity, with some continuing as professional groups after college.

In our sporadic series bringing new musical groups to your attention, we're introducing you to Hooshir, the Jewish a cappella group of Indiana University. (Hooshir=Hoosier; get it?)

Recently, Hooshir had the honor of sharing the stage with Six13 and The Maccabeats, as well as opening for Matisyahu in April 2015.

The group was formed in 2006 after the White House called Rabbi Sue, the rabbi at Indiana University’s Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, to ask whether IU had a Jewish A Cappella group that could perform at the White House Hannukah party. Rabbi Sue replied that such a group did exist. It did not. Singers from Straight No Chaser and Ladies First, the all-male and all-female IU a cappella groups at the time, were brought together to form Hooshir.

Hooshir sings a mix of Jewish music, secular Israeli pop music, and American pop music and standards. Groups such as Pentatonix and Tizmoret have served as inspirations for Hooshir. The members of Hooshir are linked by a desire to share their love of song.

Let's sing along with Hooshir as they belt out an energetic version of Lecha Dodi to welcome Shabbat.

Shabbat shalom!

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