HooShir at the White House

Profile HooShir at the White House

Related links:

Helene G. Simon Hillel Center
Straight No Chaser
Ladies First
Jewish Studies Program

Photo courtesy of the White House

HooShir, a Jewish a cappella singing group formed in the fall of 2006 at IU Bloomington, provided the musical entertainment at the White House Chanukah party on Dec. 18, 2006. With President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush in the audience, the group performed a total of five songs — two at a small candle-lighting ceremony and three more for the party with 200-300 guests.

The group's name comes from the combination of two Hebrew words, "Hoo" and "Shir." The words translate to "it is a song," and, appropriately, are pronounced just like the nickname of the campus and the state, "Hoosier." Associated with the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center at IU Bloomington, HooShir is advised by Judah Cohen, the Louis and Sybil Mervis Professor of Jewish Culture in the Borns Jewish Studies Program and an assistant professor of folklore and ethnomusicology.

Several members of HooShir are also a part of IUB a cappella groups Ladies First and Straight No Chaser, which are sponsored by the IU Alumni Association.