Avi Sinvani: From Yemenite Roots to a Life of Music, Faith, and Inspiration

Avi Sinvani was born in 1961, and is married and a father of four, living in Beit Arif. "I am a musician and composer — but what I love most is singing.”

A spark of roots

“I had a very special bond with my grandparents on my father’s side. They would come to visit us often, and that created a strong connection between us. Back then, travel was harder and there were fewer cars overall, yet somehow it felt easier for people to reach one another. Today there is much more technology and the roads are better — but people visit less.

“From a young age I used to sing with my grandparents, who were from the Yemenite community, and that was my first step into the world of music.”

A spark of prayer

“For many veteran singers, the first meaningful encounter with music happens in the synagogue — and that was true for me as well. Singing with my grandparents was special and I remember it fondly, but my connection to music through the synagogue prayers was deeper and more serious.

“People in our synagogue noticed that I had a beautiful voice, and already from a young age they let me sing. For example, I recited the hymn ‘Bar Yochai’ even before my bar mitzvah. Around that time I went to a vocal-training lesson with one of the top professionals back then, a guy named Kaspi from Tel Aviv — but after one lesson I stopped. My real vocal training happened in the synagogue.”

A spark of heritage

“In our home, the children saw how important tradition is to us — and thank God, it passed on to them as well. The world of music also continued to the next generation.

“My son Gal sings, writes, and composes; and Naor produces, arranges, writes, and composes. Gal produces my songs, and that brings me a lot of joy.”

A spark of emotion

“Before every performance, I still get excited — even after decades on stage, thank God it still happens. My goal is to bring people joy, and over the past year we have had the privilege of uplifting and strengthening the people of Israel — soldiers, the wounded, evacuees, and more.

“Every show is emotional, but the performances this year have been especially moving. I have performed in huge venues, I toured across the United States — but performing in front of wounded soldiers is something entirely different.

“At one show, at the beginning of the war, we performed at a base in the south, and beside us there was a truck carrying the bodies of soldiers. It shook us to the core.

“As time went on, we received more and more requests to visit the wounded, and those visits broke our hearts. Standing beside them, I thought: right now many people are here with them — but in two months, they’ll be alone, and that’s when the real hardship will hit. They say, ‘We’re strong’ — and they truly are — but you know they will face very difficult days.

“We performed for a soldier who was badly injured and was the only survivor from his Namer vehicle, we performed for air-force squadrons — and everywhere, people were deeply grateful that we came. I will never forget those performances.”

A spark of Shabbat

“I come from a traditional home, and our home today is the same. Shabbat has an important place.

“On Friday night we go to synagogue, then sit at the Shabbat table with Kiddush, songs, and everything that comes with it. Of course, we also celebrate the holidays, and the prayers of the holidays — especially the High Holy Days which have something very powerful and uplifting about them. There is a clean, moving feeling in the air.

“Of course I do not work on Shabbat — on that day I rest and reconnect to what truly matters.”

A spark of learning

“Every Friday night I read the weekly Torah portion — it is a great delight for me. Beyond that, I also love reading poems from the Diwan. Rabbi Shalom Shabazi wrote very special poems — full of yearning for the Land of Israel, love of God, love of Israel, and love of Torah.”

A spark of faith

“Before every performance I say, ‘In the name of God we will do and succeed,’ because it is clear to me that everything depends on the kindness God bestows upon us.

“Throughout my career, I have released many songs of faith and holiness, because that was very important to me. Even when I compose, I feel that I receive inspiration from Above — like a channel through which things flow.”

A spark of struggle

“Over the years I’ve gone through difficult times. When my father passed away, it was very hard for me. My wife also wasn’t well for a period, and that affected me deeply. Even today, everything happening in the country is very challenging.

“Still, I always try to strengthen myself with faith — that everything is from God and ultimately for the good. I try to look with a good eye at what happens, and to remember that God is always with us and never stops caring for us — not even for a moment.”