It was in simpler and more peaceful times that the Maccabeats’ first music video for Hanukkah, intended for their mostly Orthodox audience, went viral. The year was 2010, and since then we’ve come to expect a fresh flow of quality, charming, Jewish-themed adaptations of contemporary hits not just for Hanukkah but for Purim and other holidays.
Meanwhile, life has changed for Jews of late, and certain troubling themes have emerged.
Silencing of voices. Blaming the victim. Rampant hatred unleashed. False narratives. Scapegoating. Violence.
Even in darkness, we turn to and celebrate the light, including for Hanukkah. This year’s musical delights share a common thread: they’re absolutely…Wicked.
First, a cappella group Six13 released their take on Wicked songs adapted for the Festival of Lights. In a few short minutes, in addition to impressive vocals and creativity, the group incorporated heartbreaking reminders of Oct. 7 hostages with uplifting messages of Jewish resilience and identity. After these weighty topics, a pink-clad Galinda tries to light menorah candles with her magic wand, later facing off with emerald-skinned Elphaba.
The Maccabeats are back with their own take on a Wicked nod to Hanukkah with an adaptation of Defying Gravity.
Nearly a decade and a half has passed since they unintentionally became famous as college guys, but the singers remain recognizable. They’ve retained their familiar clean-cut appearances as well as their voices, yes – but most enduring are their trademark optimism and celebration of being part of Am Yisrael, the Jewish people.
The Maccabeats first won many hearts by showing the world – especially young people – that being Jewish can be fun and cool. After Oct. 7, they became examples again of the best we have to offer by applying their talents in new ways, performing at the 2023 March for Israel in Washington.
Their 2023 Hanukkah song, We’re Still Here (Am Yisrael Chai) was a far cry from their first in certain respects. No astronaut costumes. No sufganiyot. It was pure heart and pride amid heartbreak, in a mix that is characteristically Jewish and front and center in this year’s Wicked-inspired performances.
This year brings the return of an orange spacesuit in the Maccabeats’ video, but this time on a real astronaut, Israel’s first, Ilan Ramon, who appears in footage of Jewish heroes from different periods in history. Amidst a familiar tune for Wicked fans, we also catch glimpses of Albert Einstein and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The embracing of the Wicked has extended even onto the bima, with renowned, Israeli-born, New York-based Cantor Azi Schwartz singing Adon Olam – part of hymnal liturgy since the fifteenth century – set to tunes from Wicked.
It’s no coincidence that in our post-October 7 world, Jews are turning to Wicked for artistic inspiration. The recent release of the successful film adaptation of an already popular tale doesn’t hurt, but that’s not the full story.
Silencing of voices. Blaming the victim. Rampant hatred unleashed. False narratives. Scapegoating. Violence.
Wicked explores these themes that echo Jewish history and have been revived most dramatically since October 7, all in a way that combines an uplifting message without minimizing our wounds.
Elphaba faces the same choice as Jews throughout history: she can protect her reputation, gain wider social acceptance, and even save her own life…if she assimilates. Physical safety and keeping her place in society in fact require the shedding of her distinct identity and values.
Wounded but defiant, Elphaba refuses to bow to injustice. The cost is steep and the choice isolates her, but she displays courage and steadfastness.
Hanukkah is a reminder of the miraculous light that can arise from the darkest days. It remains a celebration we mark with gelt and fried foods, but today many of us also experience a newfound appreciation for the Maccabees’ rebellion against injustice and to reassert Jewish practices in the face of overwhelming odds.
In their own joyous and meaningful ways, the Maccabeats and Six13 remind us to celebrate being Jewish in this year’s Hanukkah videos. They achieve this by weaving in modern, popular music from Wicked while reminding us that today’s challenges are difficult but nothing new for Jewfolk.
We’ve done this before, and we’ll survive and thrive again – all the while singing and dancing between our tears.
Excerpt from the lyrics of We’ll Rise Above (Defying Gravity) performed by the Maccabeats:
Some things have changed around us
Some things have stayed the same
Through every change we’ve weathered
Our spirit always burns the same
When shadows rise to meet us
Our flame will burn through the night
An ancient spark ignites
And fills the void with light
We’ll rise above, defying gravity
Through every trial, defying gravity
And they won’t bring us down.
