JI Maccabeats and the Gift of Life

Last Thursday, the Maccabeats announced their partnership with the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and the start of the Judy Greenberg Memorial Miracle Match Campaign. The Maccabeats are the a capella group based out of Yeshiva University, known for their viral video, “Candlelight.” Gift of Life is one of the nation’s public bone marrow, blood stem cell, and umbilical cord blood registries. The Maccabeats realized that because their concerts brought together people from across the Jewish community, these provided numerous opportunities for Gift of Life to collect cheek swabs. In the course of planning a campaign to swab concert guests, the Maccabeats learned that Gift of Life does not have enough money to process even the swabs it has already collected, and they decided to launch a fundraiser in conjunction with their new Hannukah video, a cover of Matisyahu’s “Miracle.” Mayim Bialik, a supporter of Gift of Life and good friend of the Maccabeats, had this to say about the campaign: “It was a personal thrill to participate with my sons in the Maccabeats’ most recent video; I love their music, I commend their perspective on Judaism, and I am honored to be a part of such a creative and meaningful venture. However, The Maccabeats see their “success” as dependent upon – even incumbent upon- their ability to truly make a difference in this world, and in that light, they have combined their goals with those of Gift of Life. My appearing in “Miracle” has, because of this, been elevated from fun and exciting to meaningful and inspiring. I have been associated with Gift of Life for some time, and now I am linked with them through the Maccabeats’ magnanimous and touching mitzvah, which combines the joy they bring to the world and the potential for that joy to inspire others to see the deeper significance of miracles. As far as I am concerned, the Maccabeats are this season’s miracle-makers!” Donors to the campaign can purchase goods and services from Mayim Bialik and the Maccabeats. “We’re hoping people will donate their money to Gift of Life instead of buying elaborate Hannukah presents – and we’re providing a way to turn that donation into a holiday gift or greeting,” says Greenberg. The campaign’s website is www.makesomemiracles.com. The campaign is dedicated to Greenberg’s mother, who passed away in 2003. “She loved being Jewish and singing, but more than anything she was about taking initiative to help others.”