Image

It’s that time of the year again – time for Hanukkah parody videos! We’ve gathered a few of the best new debuts from across the web. Leave us a comment and let us know: What’s your favorite?
- “Shalom”
The most popular song of the year is always the most susceptible to parodying, which makes it no surprise that someone came up with a Hanukkah twist on Adele’s “Hello.” That someone is comedian Ari Blau, whose video follows the original’s sepia-toned style for a nostalgic vibe but whose voice is not quite at superstar level yet.
- “Light the Candles and Believe”
The youth and family engagement team at Central Synagogue in New York City set their Hanukkah parody to the tune of Top 40 breakout hit “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon. They’re clad in some pretty awesome tacky holiday sweaters, too, and their sufganiyot (jelly donuts) sure do look tasty!
- “Latke Recipe”
Popular a cappella group The Maccabeats went the “Shut Up and Dance” route, too, with a slightly different rhyme. Their parody video is actually pretty instructional, if you’re talented enough to sing and dance while you’re making your Hanukkah meal.
- “Watch Me (Spin/Drey-Drey)”
Debut star Silentó surely never expected a Jewish take on his massively popular jam “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).” The good news about this video from Jewish a cappella group Six13 is that you don’t have to know how to whip or nae nae (or even know what that means) to enjoy their dreidel-themed spin on it (pun intended, of course).
- “A One Direction Hanukkah”
If you’re a fan of One Direction and tacky holiday sweaters, you’ll love the Manhattan Jewish Experience’s boy band medley/mash-up featuring Erez Cohen in collaboration with Six13, A.K.A. Pella, and The Y Studs. Let’s play dreidel, dreidel, dreidel ‘til we see the sun…
|
- "Lift Yourself Up"
This original song by Shir Shalom, another Jewish a cappella group, isn't actually a parody, but it's so pretty and powerful that we couldn't leave it off the list. Looking for an inspirational, feel-good tune this Hanukkah to, well, lift you up during troubling global times? This is it.
Related Posts
Image

I’d Rather Be Me: An Interview with Jewish Performer Shayna Goldberg
January 31, 2022
Twenty-year-old Shayna Goldberg is young adult songleader and performer with EPIC Players, a New York-based nonprofit theatre company that opens the stage to all types of artists and seeks to shine a light on neurodiverse talent. Along with her family, she is a part of the Adath Emanu-El community in Mount Laurel, N.J.
Image

Meet the 27-Year-Old Who's Amplifying the Sounds of the Borscht Belt
April 7, 2021
Growing up, Aaron Bendich would spend lots of time with his grandfather Max in the North Bronx, in a house “filled to the brim” with records, videotapes and CDs. Among Max’s collection were recordings of Yiddish songs and other Jewish music.
Image

Seekers in Song: Meet Abraham Jam, the Muslim/Jewish/Christian Musical Trio
February 1, 2021
We chat with singer-songwriter, percussionist, and multi-instrumentalist Billy Jonas about Abraham Jam, a trio of internationally renowned musicians who have teamed up to create art strengthened by diversity.