Reflections of a Jerusalem Childhood with Mati Seri

Childhood Memory That Stays With You:

On June 5th, 1967, I was sent out of French class by my teacher because of one of my mischievous acts. I wandered alone in the courtyard of the old 'Maale' school when I noticed a 'Piper' aircraft flying in the sky. For us Jerusalemites, seeing a plane was a rare spectacle. Moments later, an alarm went off... The French teacher rushed out and sent me to the shelter with the other children. That's how we realized a war had begun – the Six-Day War.

We were released home, and then a fierce shelling started on Jerusalem from Beit Jala, now the neighborhood of Gilo, which was under Jordanian control. The journey I made amid the shelling down Azza Street to the Valley of the Cross was my first significant encounter with fear.

A Jewish Connection You Feel Personally:

As soon as I learned to read in first grade, my grandfather, of blessed memory, who was a scribe by profession in addition to working as a builder, wrote for me on a beautifully decorated parchment the 'Mah Nishtanah' in Arabic-Teymanic Jewish. To this day, at every family Seder night, despite my advanced age, I am required to recite it fluently. This moment is akin to the afikoman, without which the Seder cannot be properly concluded.

A Jewish Figure You Connect With:

The influential figure in my Jewish life is Rabbi Yosef Kapach, of blessed memory, who performed my circumcision, at whose synagogue I was called to the Torah for my Bar Mitzvah, and who also officiated my wedding.

A Mitzvah That's Close to Your Heart:

A mitzvah dear to my heart, apart from the mitzvah of charity, is the mitzvah of Shemitah, as it represents great trust in Hashem. Both mitzvahs share the philosophy of 'Cast your burden on Hashem, and He will sustain you.'

Your Favorite Holiday:

My favorite holiday is Sukkot, both for the shape and scent of the four species and mainly for the worship of Hashem not from a mansion but from a temporary and fleeting sukkah, paralleling human life on earth.

Biblical Figure You Would Like to Meet:

I would like to meet the prophet Elisha, who embodied both humanity and prophetic power. His request was to receive double the spirit of his mentor Elijah the prophet, and indeed he received it. 'My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!'

Mati Seri

A Book or Song That Changed You:

The song that influenced me the most is one I recorded 17 years ago and was newly arranged a few months ago: 'Hinech Yafa Rayati' – essentially a longing for the Shechinah.

Project You Participated in That Affected You Deeply:

The play 'The King' at Beit Lessin, about the rise and fall of the first king Zohar Argov.

Professionally, Are You Where You Imagined You Would Be?

I never had a built-in imagination of where I'd be professionally. I always yearn for renewal and discovery.

Where Do You Want to Be in Five Years?

In five years, I would like to have a new album, a play, a movie, a series, and a new evening together. Isn't that a modest request?

A Moment of Missed Opportunity in Your Career:

The play 'Rembetiko' at the Haifa Theatre, where I played a lead role. The play ended prematurely. In general, the feeling of a missed opportunity is a constant companion for anyone involved in creation.

Something People Might Not Know About You:

For eight years, I have been a regular host of 'Morning Sessions on the Weekly Parsha' at the Malinov House in Ramat Hasharon.

Something You Want People to Know About You:

Currently, I am adapting to the stage inspiring stories from the Bible, like the birth of the prophet Samuel, Samson the hero, Elijah, and Elisha.

According to Your View, Living by Judaism Is a Recipe for...?

Living according to Judaism is a tree of life for those who hold on to it, a life of listening and tolerance, and above all, being beloved by Hashem and by people.