About the Chai Notes
Founded in 1996, the Chai Notes are Cornell University's best and only Jewish-themed, co-ed a cappella group. They sing songs in both Hebrew and English, including current popular hits. Their song choices span many genres, from pop and oldies to rap and traditional Jewish songs, and all their pieces are arranged by members of the group.  

The Chai Notes perform both on campus, from their semesterly concerts to Hillel events, and off, at gigs all over the Ithaca area and beyond. In 2015 they were selected to provide the music for the White House Chanukah party, which included giving a private performance to the President and First Lady. They even got the stamp of approval from Supreme Court Justice and Cornell alum Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who called them "excellent". Can't argue with that!

Group History
In the fall of 1996, on the first night of Sukkot — the Feast of Tabernacles — Rebecca Schaefer met Shira Klapper for the first time. During that introductory meeting, Shira proposed her grand plan to create a Jewish a Cappella group at Cornell and asked if Rebecca would be interested in joining this endeavor. Currently a professor of music, Rebecca agreed and became the first Musical Director of The Chai Notes. 

Since then, this group has taken the Cornell community by storm, bringing together people of all backgrounds to appreciate the Jewish musical tradition. The Chai Notes have performed at everything from synagogue celebrations to Holocaust memorial concerts to multicultural performing arts festivals and have produced four studio albums. The Chai Notes can be found singing at local gigs, national tours, or around campus just for fun!

ChaiLights
  • The Chai Notes performed in the annual Jewish Collegiate Festival for the Performing Arts at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
  • In March 2001, The Chai Notes released their debut album, CHAIperactive.
  • Since 2001, The Chai Notes have gone on tour in places as close as Boston and New York City and as far as Los Angeles.
  • In October 2002, The Chai Notes performed at the dedication of Hillel's Schusterman International Center and the Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Building in Washington, DC, attended by public figures such as Edgar Bronfman and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
  • In the fall of 2003, The Chai Notes had their first official release party for their second album, Ithaca is Geshem.
  • In 2007, The Chai Notes released their third album, As One.
  • In February 2013, The Chai Notes traveled to New York City to sing at the Jewish a Cappella Festival in Manhattan.
  • In March 2014, The Chai Notes performed in nine concerts for over a thousand people on their tour of the Washington, D.C. area.
  • On August 30, 2015, The Chai Notes released their fourth album, Best & Only.
  • On December 9th, 2015, The Chai Notes performed at the White House Hanukkah Party, including performing a small segment of a song directly to the President and First Lady.
  • On April 23, 2017, The Chai Notes performed at the World Jewish Congress in New York City. In attendance were the U.N. Secretary General, various U.N. delegates, and U.S. congressmen.
  • On March 24, 2018, The Chai Notes released their fifth album, Lifelines.