Personal Reflections: The Life of a Theater Artist and His Connection to Rabbi Nachman

A Food That Takes You Back to Childhood

"Krembo. It's something I eat less now, but when I was a kid, I really loved it."

Three Items You Would Take to a Deserted Island

"A prayer set – tefillin, tallit, and siddur, that's one. A phone – to talk to my family. And Likutei Moharan or Sippurei Ma'asiot – I’m very connected to Rabbi Nachman."

What’s Your Guilty Pleasure?

"I have two. First, I can't resist popcorn. But basically, I’m a sweet person, and nothing beats a chocolate croissant."

What Helps You Recharge After a Tough Day?

"Home. I'm totally exhausted after a crazy Chanukah schedule of 40 shows. There was even a day we had five shows in Modi'in, and the next day we had to be in Petah Tikva again.

"Even on days like these, I preferred going home – even though it’s a drive, and despite there being people to stay with in the central area. In the end, home gives me strength. I leave from there, and I return there."

What Do People Not Know About You?

"My connection to Rabbi Nachman is something that’s less known to the public. Before the war in Ukraine, I used to go to Uman, and for many years, I've been learning Likutei Moharan every week with Rabbi Shagar’s commentary. A few years ago, I led a group that studied Sippurei Ma'asiot."

What Scares You the Most?

"The fear that many artists have – being irrelevant, and that the stories I tell won't resonate with people. With all the progress in the world and technology, it takes effort to catch up because humanity and people are changing. Stories that were once told in certain ways no longer belong, and you have to innovate and renew yourself."

When Was the Last Time You Cried?

"It happened not long ago, when a friend from the community passed away after a long illness. He was part of our study group for Sippurei Ma'asiot, and he loved the learning."

Something You’d Like to Improve About Yourself

"There’s a lot. Maybe I’d like to be a more relaxed person. Being involved in art, advertising, and theater requires me to be very exposed and energetic, and that affects my life."

The Most Honest Moment You've Had When Speaking to the Creator

"I lead the prayers during the High Holy Days at our community, and I go in with all my heart and soul. I pray for the people of Israel, the community, and my family. But even on a regular day, there are many moments like that. Many times, I take the prayer and just try to say one truthful word.

"Since we pray every day, three times a day, it’s not always possible to say that the spiritual tension and connection are at their highest level. At least not for me, I don't know about others. But I try, at least, to have one moment in the prayer where I focus on what I’m reading."

What Dream Have You Not Given Up On?

"I would like to make a film or a series for adults."

The Trait You Admire in People

"Honesty, truth, and sincerity. These are the things that are most important to me."

Which Person, Who’s No Longer With Us, Would You Like to Have a Conversation With?

"My father, who passed away eight years ago, and I would love to meet him again. If I had another chance, I would be so happy to be in a room where Rabbi Nachman or Rabbi Natan is teaching Torah. That’s incredible to me."

How Would You Like to Be Remembered After 120?

"I was in reserves during the last war. I started a shift in the operations room as an operations sergeant, an hour after the tragic incident in which 21 soldiers from our battalion died in a building collapse in the al-Maghazi area in the center of Gaza.

"Even in very difficult moments, like this one and others, people told me that by keeping a good spirit and humor, I was a light for them. If I can imagine my funeral after 120, I’d want people to roll with laughter."

The Creation You Are Most Proud Of

"After my reserve duty during Operation Protective Edge, I dealt with PTSD, and for many years, I struggled to be a father, a husband, and a man, and just function.

"This struggle led me to write a one-man show with Psik Theater and Uzi Biton, and I performed it in English on Broadway in New York. I know the show really changed, and even saved lives of people.

"In the visual world – the many years I worked and led content at Meir Channel. We led a cultural revolution that gave a high-level educational, value-based, and artistic alternative to the children of Israel.

"There’s a difference between humor and nonsense. Even when I do something silly with Tuvia, it’s built on something real, not just to provoke or belittle him. I think that’s the secret of healthy humor – it allows thinking and seeing outside the box, and therefore it’s based on deep things.

"Today, after 20 years, people approach me and say, 'I grew up on you.' This fills me up. I really feel we made a revolution."