Assaf Ashtar on Faith, Family, Humor, and Identity

Assaf Ashtar is married and a father of two daughters who lives in Ramat Gan. He is an actor, comedian, and lover of Hebrew music.

A Spark of Roots

“I was born and raised in Hadera, to a traditional Yemenite family. My grandparents on both sides were religious, and a large part of my childhood and early adulthood was spent with them. They lived close to us, so we were together a lot. I especially remember the holidays we celebrated at their home — everything was observed properly according to tradition.

We would go to synagogue mainly on holidays, and sometimes on Shabbat. At my grandparents’ home I absorbed Jewish tradition — the synagogue, the prayers, the Yemenite melodies and chants. I didn’t wear a kippah on a daily basis, but during prayers and on special occasions of course I did — and I loved it. For me, the kippah is a symbol.

At home, my parents kept less strictly, but there was Kiddush on Shabbat and holidays. My father has passed away, but my mother still blesses everything she eats, and she is very strict about kashrut — heaven forbid someone mixes meat and milk for her.

And yes, the values I absorbed in childhood stayed with me. I love reading from the Torah for several reasons, one of them being my love for the Hebrew language. When someone needs a tenth for a minyan — I’ll be the first to volunteer. I know the prayers well and I love reading them. I keep to the basics, and it’s very important to me to pass on the tradition to my daughters.

Many of my relatives have become religious, including my uncle and two of my wife’s brothers. When I visit them I don’t ask them to ‘respect my lifestyle’ — I respect theirs, and for example, I wear a kippah in their home.”

A Spark of Beginnings

“The dream of being an actor and performing has been with me for as long as I can remember. As a child I was shy — and to some extent I still am — so it was hard for me to realize that dream. On the other hand, I was talented in those areas. In elementary school they chose me to host events, and I loved it — and trembled from it at the same time.

As I grew older, I wanted to pursue the dream more seriously, but I thought it wasn’t practical. I told myself: ‘What, I’ll be an actor? I’ll be famous? I’ll perform on shows and stages?’ It didn’t seem realistic. Still, the dream kept burning inside, so after two years of army career service I decided to go for it and enrolled in acting studies at Beit Zvi.

Since then, I’ve done many things in the field, and I was especially drawn to humor. I’ve always loved making people laugh. When I see or hear people laughing because of me — it does good to my heart. They say every onion can make you cry — but to make people laugh is harder.

Often I’m invited to perform for religious audiences, and in those shows I connect more to Jewish and halachic themes, quote verses from the Bible — and I feel very comfortable with it.”

A Spark of Judaism

“People talk a lot today about ‘religionization,’ but I think that as Jews — regardless of how religious you are, if at all — first of all we must know our heritage and our history. Every Jew should know a few verses by heart, study Tanach, be familiar with some prayers, and so on.

I sometimes hear about secular parents who get upset because a bit of Jewish tradition or Bible study was added to the school curriculum — and I just don’t understand them. They talk about religious coercion — and I don’t get what bothers them so much about their kids learning a bit about Judaism, and later deciding what to do with it.

The Torah, the mitzvot, Jewish tradition — that’s what unites us as a people. I’m always amazed by the thought that for so many years, all over the world, Jews read the same texts at the same times. That’s incredible to me.”

A Spark of Mitzvah

“I have deep respect for holy objects. If someone were to harm a mezuzah, a kippah, or any Jewish symbol — it would really disturb me. I also try very hard not to take God’s name in vain. I don’t live a religious lifestyle, but I have great respect for God’s name, for prayer, for holiness — that’s how I was raised, and it’s ingrained in me.

For example, if a page containing holy text falls into my hands — I can’t ignore it, I’ll pick it up. And I won’t place a secular book on top of a holy one. It’s stronger than me.”

A Spark of Shabbat

“I definitely behave differently on Shabbat — and I also feel different. Lighting the candles, preparing the table, the Shabbat meal, the special dishes — all of that gives me a good feeling.

Even if I stay home on a weekday — it doesn’t feel like Shabbat. There’s no ‘soul’ of Shabbat. During COVID I spent a lot of time at home, and it just felt like weekday after weekday. There’s nothing like Shabbat. I also really respect people who choose not to work on Shabbat — and I try myself to uphold that as much as I can.”

A Spark of a Story

“Many years ago, when one of the shows I participated in became very popular, my wife wanted us to go shopping at Ayalon Mall. I told her: ‘I can’t go — school’s out today, the mall will be packed, and people will mob me.’ She said not to worry and convinced me to come.

Ten minutes passed — someone recognized me — and chaos began. I tried to hide — it didn’t work — and suddenly a crowd of kids was running after me, almost trampling me. At the last second a shop owner pulled me inside and locked the door.

In the end I sat there for over an hour and signed for everyone. Inside, I thought to myself: ‘In the end, my success is also thanks to them — I owe them gratitude.’”

A Spark of Prayer

“There are definitely times when I feel the need to speak to God — to pray. When that happens, I talk to Him in simple words. I believe God watches over us, runs the world, rewards the good, and holds the wicked accountable. You don’t always see it, but I know there are things we don’t see and don’t understand.

Among Yemenites there is special respect for prayer and Torah reading — great precision in every vowel and every sound. You’re not allowed to make even the smallest mistake. That elevates and dignifies the prayer.”

A Spark of Struggle

“Alongside the many things I’ve achieved — there’s something I still carry with me, something very hard for me — and I pray about it.

Consistently and over a long period — I fail auditions.

I want to return to acting in series and plays — but almost every time I audition, I don’t get the role. It hurts me a lot. There’s something inside me that just doesn’t manage to open up in auditions. I can’t find that point of release and just be myself. Afterwards I ask myself: ‘Why didn’t I do things differently?’

The last time this happened was just last week — for a series about a Yemenite family — a role that really suited me — kind-hearted, shy, with humor, introverted, and I still didn’t get it.

Because of all this, I carry a deep sense of missed opportunity. I believe I still have so much to give. Going to auditions is unpleasant — you’re exposed, being judged. I know I need to come with more confidence and loosen up — but it’s very painful to me.

People may say, ‘What’s he complaining about? He’s successful and well-known’ — but this is something I really want to break through. It saddens me deeply."