In the Beginning...

Once, a cappella thrived at Rutgers University. Koleinu was there to warm the hearts and souls of more than just the Jewish community, but then came the dark times, when the group known as Rutgers' Koleinu vanished from the face of the earth. Suddenly, when all seemed lost, a new voice emerged and, like the phoenix arising from the ashes, the group formerly known as Koleinu was reborn into the image of Kol Halayla.

The Voice of the Knight began its inaugural year in the fall semester of 1996. Armed with an impressive array of young talent, and led by the musical dictatorship, um, DIRECTORSHIP of Ari Yares, the group began gathering songs from various sources and arranging a repertoire that was both fun to listen to and a joy to perform. Kol Halayla took a mix of older arrangements, rearranging some of them, and creating some of its own unique music. Favorites include songs like Nachamu, Layla Tov Chamuda She'li, and Noladiti l'Shalom. Some sources for these songs come from the Siddur (prayer book) and the Torah itself. Others are compilations and arrangements of traditional and popular music, both Hebrew and English.

In the '96-'97 school year, the group performed in a number of concerts. Besides performing for Rutgers Hillel, Kol Halayla sang at the State Capitol Building in Trenton for the Kristalnacht Commemoration, as well as at the State Theater in New Brunswick during the Safam concert.

Following Ari Yares, Kol Halayla was directed by Aviva Pollick (now Gutin) and then Jeremy Tassoff. In 2001, Kol Halayla took a step in a new direction, becomming directed by professional Anna West Ott. During her tenure, the group grew in member numbers greatly, having 24 members at one point! In addition, in the 2002-2003 year, Kol Halayla appeared in 24 different performances!

In 2003, Kol Halayla once again became a student directed group, this time under the direction of Dave Rosen.Since then, Kol Halayla has become a smaller, yet much tighter sounding group. In the 2007-2008 school year, we were direceted by Rebekah Sedwin. We are currently directed by Spencer Brooks.

Throughout the years, Kol Halayla has performed in many exciting venues and with many amazing groups, including Beatachon, Seeds of Son, for two September 11th memorials, for many events for Rutgers and for temples and Jewish organizations around the area, and with many a cappella groups from Rutgers and from around the country and internationally!

Since 1997, Kol Halayla has run an annual Jewish A Cappella retreat, Shabbat A Cappella, and in 2003, Shabbat A Cappella became an international event, as we welcomed "Varsity Jews" from the University of Toronto! In addition, now in our 12th year, Kol Halayla has already released three CDs, All Day, All Night (1999), Ma Nishtana Kol Halayla Hazeh (2001), and Fiddling without a Fiddle (2005). and Kol Halayla is currently beging the process of creating thier 4th CD. Kol halayla was also featured on BOJAC (Best of Jewish A Capella)(2006) with their song, Zodiac