About Us

Founded in 2001, the Shabbatones are the student-run Jewish a cappella group at the University of Pennsylvania. One of the premier Jewish a cappella groups in the country, we are known for our energetic arrangements and entertaining performances.

Specializing in popular American, Israeli and Jewish music, the Shabbatones have performed for a variety of audiences both at Penn and at other venues throughout the country. All of our arrangements are written by group members. Shabbatones members and alumni include undergraduate and graduate students, studying a wide variety of subjects like engineering, psychology, English, and economics. We come from a variety of Jewish backgrounds, unified by a love for Jewish music and a commitment to being the voice of one of the largest and most vibrant Hillels in the nation.

In the eleven years since the Shabbatones began, our music has been heard all over the world. During breaks from school the group has gone on tour to California, London, Miami, Houston, and New Orleans. During the year, the group enjoys performing at synagogues, schools, and other venues across the northeast.

We have recorded five CDs; our most recent CD Shabbaholics was released in April 2011. Our fourth CD Friday Night Lights received an honorable mention for the Recorded A Cappella Review Board's best a cappella albums of 2009. We have also had three songs appear on the Best of Jewish A Cappella CD compilation series.