On Sunday, Nov. 4, more than 400 people attended the first-ever New England Jewish Collegiate A Cappella Competition and Showcase, hosted by Temple Sholom in Greenwich.

A total of eight teams from the northeast participated, with each team performing a set of three songs: one in Hebrew, one in English with a Jewish theme, and one song of the group’s choice. The event, produced by Gaston Bernstein and chaired by Cantor Sandy Bernstein, also included an opening performance from Temple Sholom’s new Teen Choir.

“We’re looking for a way to bring relevant Jewish music to the community and we are looking to bring Judaism to life in a way that’s not being done all around the world,” said Cantor Sandy, the choir’s director, in an interview with News12Connecticut.

“Shir Appeal” from Tufts University was awarded first place in the competition category, followed by Brown University’s “Alef Beats” and Brandeis University’s “Manginah.” Singer Yitzy Dier from Rutgers University’s “Kol Halayla” was named Best Soloist, and Tufts’ Noah Smith received the award for Best Beatboxer.

Following the awards presentation and a performance by “Shir Appeal,” all of the teams gathered together on the bima to close the show with a stellar rendition of “Al Hanissim.”

CAP: Tufts University’s “Shir Appeal” took first place in the New England Jewish Collegiate A Cappella Comepetiton and Showcase.