Dudu Zar: Childhood Memories from Jerusalem’s Bukharan Quarter, and a Lifetime of Giving Joy

Dudu Zar is married to Nili. He is an actor and singer, and lives in the United States.

A Spark of Nostalgia

“My entire life story is rooted in the neighborhood where I was born — the Bukharan Quarter in Jerusalem. It was a childhood full of joy: good neighbors, daily acts of kindness, games with friends, holidays celebrated together, an extended family, and tradition, tradition, tradition.”

A Spark of Roots

“I remember my grandmother, Rachel Zar of blessed memory — my mother Chana’s mother — with so much love. She was a truly righteous woman. She lived with us in our home and essentially raised us. From her I learned the most important lessons of my life — her love for every person, her endless generosity, and the unique cooking of the Persian Mashhadi community. It’s hard for me to imagine who I would be today without the influence of this incredible woman.”

A Spark of Judaism

“For me, the spark of Judaism is my brother Gidi — may he live a long and good life. Gidi became religious about 45 years ago, and we have never argued about my secular lifestyle or his observant one. To this day we speak every day, and he is the perfect example of acceptance, tolerance, and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

A Spark of Inspiration

“As someone who worked for many years in children’s educational television, I deeply admire Rabbi Lau, for his ability to gently and beautifully share sparks of Jewish wisdom with the people of Israel.”

A Spark of Creativity

“Most of my work has always been connected to children — and even today I still perform for kids, trying to bring them joy and teach them. I thank God every day for giving me the talent to sing and make others happy.”

A Spark of Mitzvah

“A mitzvah that is especially dear to my heart is giving charity in secret. A person who knows how to give without receiving anything in return — that, to me, is a true Jew. And of course, visiting the sick.”

A Spark of Shabbat

“Shabbat always brings me back to childhood — Shabbat in the synagogue with my father and grandfather, my mother, my brother and sisters, the extended family, friends, and neighbors. The sacred atmosphere, the quiet all around, the special Shabbat food — and above all, the feeling of the Divine Presence resting over Jerusalem. Today, unfortunately, I don’t feel that way anymore, even when I’m in Israel.”

A Spark of Prayer

“I don’t pray in the formal halachic sense — aside from going to synagogue on holidays and memorial days for my family — but there isn’t a day when I don’t lift my eyes upward and speak with the Creator of the world. Sometimes in moments of weakness — and sometimes in moments of gratitude.”

A Spark of Challenge

“I learned how to cope and overcome obstacles from my parents and teachers — and later from other people who gave me important emotional tools. But the first shoulder I lean on is my brother’s — and perhaps the fact that he is a man of faith strengthens that connection to God in a powerful way.”

A Spark of Learning

“There isn’t a particular section of the Torah that I turn to, but the Tanach is always open on my desk, and from time to time I read from it and reconnect with my Jewish roots and the history to which I belong.”

A Spark of Awakening

“Like everyone else — in times of hardship my first instinct is to turn to Him for help, and in times of peace and blessing — to thank Him for what He has given me.”

A Spark of Legacy

“I hope that people will remember my efforts to bring joy to children and adults — to the sick and the healthy — and that perhaps I left even a small mark in the field of early-childhood education during my years of work.”