With Hanukkah right around the corner, starting Nov. 28, Jewish a capella greats Six13 release Hanukkah video: “West Side Chanukah Story,” a riff off of Steven Spielberg’s reimagining of “West Side Story,” opening Dec. 10.

One member of the group is Creve Coeur native Lior Melnick, an alum of Solomon Schechter Day School of St. Louis (now Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School) and member of Traditional Congregation.

Melnick (in the video, he’s the tall one with the deep bass vocals wearing dark red pants) said the pandemic has presented challenges for the group.

“We’ve definitely had to modify our music- and video-making process during the pandemic,” he said. “But we’ve leaned into the altered process as much as possible, as performing arts groups everywhere have as well.”

In 2018, the Jewish Light interviewed Melnick about his involvement with the group. You can read that story here.

According to the band’s website, Six13 is anchored by a strong Jewish identity, fueled by soulful harmonies and intricate arrangements. Their signature dynamic is full-band-like sound, and driven by a mission to connect Jews around the world with their heritage through music.

For more information about the group, visit https://www.six13.com/

Jewish greats six13 release hanukkah video