"I Gave Up 'Rising Star' for Spirituality"

A momentary decision. That's all it took for Eluya Shir to give up a promising career in music. After passing all the auditions for 'The Voice' and 'Rising Star' and standing on the brink of filming, she opted for a different journey.

Can you imagine the courage and emotional strength required to make such a unilateral decision? However, according to Shir (24), a sound engineering student at Yoav Gera School in Modiin, it was a logical step. "I was born to believing parents and was educated in religious schools until fifth grade. Then, my parents moved to Modiin, and I entered a secular framework," Shir recalls. "The adjustment was difficult. Although I integrated fairly quickly, I never truly belonged there. I always held on to what I'd learned in my youth, and the values of my religious upbringing always stayed with me."

According to Shir, her talent for singing was discovered quite by chance when a friend heard her voice at 17 and was captivated, asking her to sing repeatedly. From that moment, she began singing, though she never imagined the hobby would soon become a profession. "At first, I sang songs by others, but over time, I started creating my songs – writing and composing. Then came the auditions."

"Passed 'The Voice' Audition, Refused to Sign a Contract"

From age 17, Shir tried auditioning but without success. Despite failing three times, she never gave up and kept trying until she succeeded. "Last year, I auditioned for 'The Voice', got in, and passed all the stages. But when it came time to sign the contract, I refused."

Why?

"On the outside, it seemed like an impossible decision. I know. Though I can't expand on the details, the idea is that you become somewhat enslaved to the show's production team. In essence, they tell you they owe you nothing, and you owe them everything. I couldn't agree to such terms."

But that wasn't all.

Eluya Shir. A brave surrender

A few days after her refusal, Shir got a surprising call from the production of another show, 'Rising Star', which she hadn't even applied for. She was invited to the auditions, passed them all, was interviewed by host Assi Azar, and finally reached the television filming stage. There, she made the courageous decision to give it all up—for her faith.

"Thanks to Operation Protective Edge, I Committed to Shabbat"

Let's rewind and clarify: the auditions took place during Operation Protective Edge, a time of severe insecurity in the country. "The fact that rockets reached central Israel deeply affected me," Shir recalls. "I was very upset and kept asking myself: 'Why do so many hate us, the Jews?'. I Googled and read a lot, and listened to spiritual lectures on YouTube. Suddenly, I realized the root of all this hatred ties back to our religion. That is, the world hates us because we're the chosen people, the torch showing others the light."

This 'small' realization led Shir to other significant insights, the primary being the impact of singing publicly as a woman. Shir understood this and it became the catalyst for her needed transformation. "After this revelation, my life gained a new meaning. From then, the path to fulfilling the commandments was clear. I began observing Shabbat and embracing modesty—gradually, of course. I remember going to the final audition wearing a skirt, and everyone was surprised by the sudden change in me."

Do you ever regret the decision? You could've had a brilliant career

"I don't regret my decision because I know it was Hashem's will for me. I pity those girls who don't know what they're missing by singing to a mixed audience and how many better opportunities might open for them once they give up singing publically. I don't feel that I've given up my career, as I'm now studying sound engineering for precisely this reason. G-d willing, the goal is to establish my recording studio and direct the talent Hashem gave me towards a noble purpose of singing in holiness for women only.

"To all women still deliberating, I can only say that since I made this choice and chose life—eternal life that surpasses this world and its issues—Hashem has showered me with countless other gifts. Remember that you're a role model for everyone who sees you, and if you walk with Hashem hand in hand, you'll never lose. Do what you need to do and let Hashem do what only He can: make you happy."