Yale A Cappella Group Performs at Hoboken Synagogue

This Saturday, January 10, 2026, Yale University’s Redhot & Blue jazz a cappella group came to Hudson County to perform at the United Synagogue of Hoboken. The night was filled with beautiful harmonies, highlighted by the synagogue’s acoustics and gilded pulpit.

The evening began with the group’s signature introductory song and an introduction by Daniel Weintraub, a sophomore bass and the group’s pitch, notable for his standout blue tie. They performed jazz standards such as “Blackbird” by the Beatles, “Dreamer” by Laufey, and “Fever” by Peggy Lee. The group also performed songs from famous films, including “Caravan,” featured in Whiplash (2014), and “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” featured in When Harry Met Sally… (1989). The latter was accompanied by a duo dance performance alluding to the film.

“What most people don’t realize about a cappella groups is that we arrange every song that we perform.” “Autumn Leaves,” arranged by Max Colomer, was performed for the first time at this concert. Each member had an opportunity for a solo performance, sometimes accompanied by a duo or trio to accentuate the song’s strongest notes. One of the group’s most well-known pieces, “Summertime” by George Gershwin, featured members conversing with one another through pitch and synchronized harmonies.

Their final performance, “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles, combined dancing, snapping, skidding, and singing, leaving the audience in a joyous mood. Alumni also joined in toward the conclusion of the concert, showcasing the group’s strong sense of community and togetherness.

Weintraub was instrumental in bringing the group to Hoboken. He was raised at the United Synagogue of Hoboken, where he celebrated his bar mitzvah, which he humorously referenced throughout the performance. “There’s no better place to perform than the sanctuary here,” Weintraub said. “We love being here. We love singing here.” Local attendees also enjoyed the event. “I loved all of it,” said Joel Freiser, a longtime congregant. “I have been here [at the United Synagogue of Hoboken] for 50 years. I enjoy the services and events like this.”

Redhot & Blue is Yale’s first all-gender a cappella group, performing in soprano, alto, tenor, and bass (SATB) arrangements. The group has performed across the country, including at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and in San Francisco. They plan to perform in Lagos, Nigeria, in the upcoming season. “One interesting aspect of a college a cappella group is that we constantly have to rotate our members. We have them for three or four years, and then they graduate.” Nevertheless, the group maintains a diverse roster of 17 members ranging from soprano to bass, each with their own reason for joining.

Gabriella Pavlov, a junior alto and neuroscience major, joined the group as a creative outlet during school. “I wanted a creative outlet. When I was listening to all the a cappella groups, I looked for the group that had the best community and the most complex compositions, and this one was it!” Joseph Kayne, a junior tenor, joined for “the music, the people, and the travel.” As a student-run group with no funding from Yale, members coordinate their own performances and travel around the country, including to Hudson County.

The United Synagogue of Hoboken is the only synagogue and one of the oldest houses of worship in the city. “Daniel grew up as an important part of this community,” said Rabbi Robert Scheinberg, the head rabbi of the synagogue. “We are lucky to have him and his team perform.”