Yale’s ‘Whiffs’ bring some ‘Glee’
The Whiffenpoofs, the university's a cappella men's choir, perform in Israel as part of their world tour
Listen up: The Whiffenpoofs have soared through Israel. The 14 members of the Yale University a cappella group are on a worldwide tour, visiting 25 countries in 87 days. Country number ten was Israel.
The “Whiffs,” as they like to be called, performed at the Jerusalem International YMCA on Wednesday, along with the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus, led by a former 2011 Whiff, Micah Hendler.
Hendler’s brother Ruben, who is currently in the Yale choir, said he and his fellow members are all seniors taking a year off to tour the world singing their tunes. After they end their journey in August, they turn the reigns over to a new band of “Whiffs,” to keep the over 100-year-old travel tradition alive.
“It’s such a tremendous experience getting to travel all over the world and see great countries like Israel,” Hendler said. “I’ve been here before, but for our other members, this is their first time.”
The group brought its signature flare and theatricality to the Jerusalem performance, acting out small transitional skits, usually aimed at poking fun at Yale’s arch nemesis, Harvard University. A classic Whiffenpoof number performed at the event included a medley of football fight songs traditionally sung every year at the Harvard-Yale game.
The Whiffs, who recently made a cameo on the season finale of choir drama “Glee,” also sang on June 18 at Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv, where they also spent time at the beach. In Jerusalem, they visited Yad Vashem and took a walking tour through the Old City.
Next up, the Whiffs will head to Jordan and other Middle East countries, and then to Africa, Asia, and Australia.