Israeli Actor Bar Brimer: “Judaism Has Made Me a Much Better Partner”

In recent years, a growing number of well-known figures in Israel's entertainment industry have spoken publicly about becoming more connected to Judaism. Among them is Israeli actor and model Bar Brimer, who recently opened up about a spiritual journey that he says has been developing gradually for the past five years.

In a conversation on Itay Segal's All-In podcast, Brimer discussed his growing connection to faith, his decision to observe Shabbat, and the impact Judaism has had on his approach to relationships.

"This Goes Back Five Years"

Brimer emphasized that his growing observance was not a sudden decision or a passing phase.

"This isn't something from today; it goes back five years," he explained. "At first, it came from some kind of connection, from wanting to lean on something. Then I really felt in my heart that this was the right thing. And afterward, you learn and explore, and you understand that this is our story. You can't escape it."

Rather than changing his lifestyle all at once, Brimer described a gradual process in which he adopted new practices as his connection to Judaism deepened.

Today, he says, he fully observes Shabbat.

"It happened very gradually," he said. "At first, I started cutting back on my phone, then I put it away completely, and then I stopped driving. It was a process. I let myself fall in love with the good things it gives us."

His commitment to prayer also developed over time.

"Before, I would put on tefillin for 10 minutes. Now I do the full Shacharit prayer service, and then I added Mincha, Maariv, and classes."

How Judaism Changed His Approach to Relationships

For Brimer, the changes have extended beyond Shabbat and prayer. He says that learning about Judaism has also transformed the way he understands relationships and his responsibilities as a partner.

"Judaism offers the most beautiful tools in the world," he said. "For a relationship, it does nothing short of amazing things. Our faith has the most beautiful tools in the world for a healthy, proper relationship: what it means to be a partner, what it means to be a man to a woman, and what it means to make your wife happy."

Brimer contrasted that outlook with what he sees as a tendency in modern relationships to focus heavily on what each person receives.

"One of the reasons relationships end so quickly today is that everyone constantly wants to receive: 'What does this person give me? What can I take from them? Is it worth it for me?' But that's not a relationship."

Instead, he said, a strong relationship should be built around giving.

"In a relationship, you are supposed to give. You live with a person and you are supposed to give to them, not think about what you get in return."

Looking back at the changes of the past five years, Brimer believes his growing connection to Judaism has affected not only his religious practice, but the kind of person and partner he strives to be.

"In that respect," he concluded, "Judaism has made me a much better partner."