Six 13 - West Side Chanukah Story

The video "Six13 - West Side Chanukah Story" by the a cappella group Six13 is a festive parody that intertwines the Chanukah story and its associated traditions with the timeless music of West Side Story. 

This award-winning Broadway musical, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, features a score by Leonard Bernstein, a libretto by Arthur Laurents, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. As a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story provides a dynamic backdrop for this creative Chanukah narrative. 

The video’s production, including its lyrics and choreography, is supported by the Manhattan Jewish Experience. This organization seeks to connect young Jewish adults in their 20s and 30s with their Jewish heritage and the greater young adult Jewish community through Shabbat gatherings, holiday festivities, retreats, and trips to Israel. 

Songs include: 

1.    "On Chanukah" (to the tune of "America"), highlighting Chanukah traditions like candle lighting, eating latkes and sufganiyot, spinning dreidels, and cherishing time with loved ones. 

2.    "Menorah" (to the tune of "Maria"), serving as a heartfelt tribute to the menorah, capturing the joy of lighting candles, highlighting the theme of freedom, and commemorating the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. 

3.    "Gee, King Antiochus" (to the tune of "Gee, Officer Krupke"), offering a reflection on the Maccabees' triumph over King Antiochus and the Greek Empire, addressing themes of resistance to assimilation and idolatry. 

4.    "Eight Nights" (to the tune of "Tonight"), expressing gratitude for not only the miracle of Chanukah but miracles down through the ages and the resilience of the Jewish people throughout history. 

Related Articles

More From Holy Days Videos

Sukkot Preparations

Sukkot Preparations

If you have not started building your sukkah immediately after Yom Kippur, you may want to get…
Sukkot Preparations
Shavuot in Jerusalem

Shavuot in Jerusalem

Shavuot is both an Israeli national holiday as well as a Biblical holiday.
Shavuot in Jerusalem
Let it Go Frozen - It's Purim

Let it Go Frozen - It's Purim

It’s a Purim Song – Frozen. Feat. Nedavya Weinberg. Produced by Baumberg Films. Original Song…
Let it Go Frozen - It's Purim
Yom Kippur by Steve McConnell

Yom Kippur by Steve McConnell

This beautiful song by Steve McConnell, released in his 1998 album HaMoedim, captures and…
Yom Kippur by Steve McConnell
How to Cook Latkes for Hanukkah

How to Cook Latkes for Hanukkah

Below is a video detailing one way to make latkes, a traditional potato pancake recipe often…
How to Cook Latkes for Hanukkah

Tisha B’Av 5772

Tisha B’Av is a day of many mournful prayers throughout Jerusalem and all of Israel.
Tisha B’Av 5772

Dance for Sukkot

Steve McConnell wrote the song below based on the premises in Deuteronomy 16 that Sukkot, also…
Dance for Sukkot

Six Days of Miracles

An exciting and uplifting historic short movie, highlighting the miraculous events of the Six…
Six Days of Miracles
Kippalive

Kippalive - We Are Home

“We are Home” is a beautiful a capella remake capturing the dreams of many Jewish people based…
Kippalive - We Are Home

Let My People Go

Afterward, Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the God of Israel: Let my…
Let My People Go

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation