Best known in religious circles for housing the Center for Jewish Law and Contemporary Civilization, New York City's Yeshiva University typically isn't found on the pop-cultural map for international singing sensations. Yet the small, academically rigorous, Jewish research institution has recently produced one of the most talked about singing groups on the planet - the Maccabeats.

The all-male Jewish a capella singers will be in Charlotte on Sunday, performing at the sold-out Community-wide Chanukah Concert at Shalom Park's Temple Israel.

Their monster pop hit Chanukah song, "Candlelight," has more than 6 million views since its YouTube debut last November. The kitschy, low-budget video features band members dressed in togas and laurels and holding tin-foil shields and swords as they reenact the clash between ancient Greeks and the Maccabees. The group's name is a playful riff on the Jewish rebel army that took control of Judea, according to biblical interpretation.

Compelling harmonies, rhythmic vocal percussion, and clean-cut, guy-next-door good looks made the video an instant hit, propelling the group into a media spotlight and catapulting them into the pop-culture stratosphere.

The past 12 months have seen them perform for President Obama at the White House, open for Jewish rapper Matisyahu, and perform at New York's Madison Square Garden. National television appearances include features on CNN and the "Today" show.

"The seeds for the group were sown in 2007," said Julian Horowitz, 24, one of the group's founding members. "Several of us realized that many universities in the Northeast had all-male, Jewish a capella singing groups, but Yeshiva - North America's foremost Jewish university - did not. We set out to rectify that, and formed the Maccabeats."

Horowitz noted that the full singing ensemble is made up of 14 members, each a Yeshiva University student or alum ranging in age from 21 to 24. After a year or so of rehearsing and playing smaller gigs on and around campus, things really took off after the group recorded and released their first album, "Voices From the Heights."

"We had a few national bookings before 'Candlelight,' " Horowitz said. "After the video, however, it was a perfect storm, with this past year just being incredible with exposure and interest in our music."

He said the group has up to 25 concert dates a month during the holiday season, with touring performances featuring seven or eight of the performers.

"We like to think there is a message with our music," Horowitz said. "Despite being immersed in a modern and technologically advanced world, we are proud of our traditions and heritage. We love having the opportunity to share our pride with others."