Golan Azulay: "If I Got to Bring Someone Closer to Judaism – That's My True Joy"

When discussing TV series and theatrical plays, the name Golan Azulay (47), known for his roles in shows like 'Tironoot,' 'Banot Brown,' and 'Our Song,' is well recognized. Yet, few know his true passion, discovered at 16 when he first plucked a guitar, lies in music. His musical career stayed dormant until 2009, when he released his debut album "On the Way to the Heart" and began performing at over 400 venues across the country.

His second album "Happy Childhood," which returns to a folk-rock style and launched as a new crowdfunding project, was co-written and composed with producer Shmuelik Daniel. The album's first songs, 'Being Normal,' 'Every Day,' and 'A Kind Word,' have been warmly received, but according to Azulay, this is just the iceberg's tip. "The first album encompasses my entire journey of return. What's beautiful about the second album is that the lyrics describe an ongoing journey from childhood to adulthood, through various experiences that each of us goes through alone. Therefore, it fits any audience."

Golan Azulay (Photos: Adi Avikzer and Shlomi Mutzafi)

The inspiration for his songs came, in large part, from his studies of 'Yemima,' which he learned at the start of his spiritual path, and from the tools he acquired at the beginning of his return to faith more than a decade ago. One of these tools is recognizing the inner child and the blockages he might create in life unless addressed. "When I realized there was a small child inside me pulling at my 'beard' and forcing me to do unwanted things, the first insight that hit me was that I needed to act, not allowing it to dominate. Yemima's studies helped me understand the child within better, providing tools to manage the complex child-adult relationship and refine my life, bringing them to a certain framework, to logical boundaries. It's powerful work not easy to do alone, although groups make it more manageable."

On the other hand, it takes a lot of courage to peel back the layers and reveal your weaknesses to others.

"True, but it teaches you to connect and be more in touch with your existence. Courage is acquired, and when you understand that it's what will truly heal you from within, you summon it from nowhere."

"A Happy Childhood Can Only Be Achieved by Healing the Heart"

He says the beautiful and wonderful tools gained from Yemima lessons and the strong impressions they left will not be quickly forgotten. "This study helps you distinguish between truth and falsehood. Many eat themselves up inside for peace, but that peace isn't real. It's fake. For example, a woman might stay silent about an injustice against her, claiming she is 'forbearing.' The truth is it eats her inside; she doesn't know how to express what's bothering her or creates an ideal picture of a perfect relationship while harboring anger in her heart.

"A happy childhood leads to a happy adulthood, but both can be achieved only through healing the heart, where all emotions, both negative and positive, reside. We've all suffered in childhood, but it doesn't end there. Some carry negative energy – anger, resentment, hatred, and vengeance – throughout life. These energies create blockages, and one not learning this internal work will continue to hide their weaknesses even at a hundred."

Why is it a problem to hide weaknesses? According to Azulay's song, partly written in 2001 during his initial internal workstage, it's very harmful: "Standing by my parents' door, recalling if happiness was there. Pain from childhood surfaces, survival. Ask yourself, do you truly forgive? Years of blaming parents, having the boldness, ask yourself, are you still fleeing? Words upon words, climbing mountains, releasing defenses, justifying excuses. Ask yourself, any strength left to change? How much longer dreaming to change? Sadness over old photos. Continuing to cry, scared at night. How long? Refining defenses, not letting go... How much longer standing outside the door, belonging yet hesitant, when will you enter within?"

How do you remove the heart's foreskin and heal it?

"First, you need a heart," he smiles. "Then, you need to open it and acknowledge the internal work needed. Next, try seeing the root of our anger and fears. When can we do this? It's written that one hour of Torah learning on Shabbat equates to a thousand weekday hours. Why? On Shabbat, the soul is in a resting state; it's not noisy, so everything it 'absorbs' is better retained. That's how it should be with heart healing work; first, quiet the 'noise' fears create in us because a noisy heart absorbs no learning. Then, when the heart is truly quiet, it's possible to talk, understand, and treat it like a small child."

The Secular Woman Strengthened by His Show: "You Made Me Want to Observe Shabbat"

Azulay expresses that from a desire to receive oneself, creation changed entirely, transforming into a desire to solely impact and give. "Suddenly you realize being at the center is not for boasting in your talents but to understand that all you've received are tools to fulfill your mission to bring joy to others. Today, I see it as a great privilege to be on stage with Hashem, which I try to implement in all my actions."

What brings you the most joy in creation?

"The most joy?", a special spark lights in his eyes. "I travel a lot around the country and the world, sharing my story of return between songs. Thank God, I receive much feedback from secular people who have said they were drawn closer to Judaism through these shows, and that brings me the most joy in the world. Recently, a young married woman stopped me in Jerusalem and said, 'I must tell you something.' She shared that she attended a small performance with about 70 people where she and her friend were the only secular ones. 'After your show, I returned home with the decision to start observing Shabbat.' Everything worked out. Although fearful to tell her husband, fearing disagreement, it all resolved. Stories like these give me great strength to continue my path, a miracle in itself, I think."

Why?

"Because Hashem isn't obligated to send these small feedbacks along the way, and the mere fact He sends them is like He's saying: 'There's a purpose in what you're doing, and I'm pleased with it.' You become a messenger of something great, part of the divine plan. That's my feeling, at least."

Azulay talks about the challenges and conflicts he faces as a religious person in the broader cultural world, saying the complexity exists and accompanies one's path endlessly. "The work of clarifications never ends. But whereas in the past I struggled mentally with the tension between desires and halachic boundaries, today I understand it's part of the work and not to be alarmed."

Crowdfunding Project: The Audience is My Right-Hand

Currently, Azulay is raising funds for his second album 'Happy Childhood,' through a new crowdfunding project. As an independent artist unfunded by any economic entity, the album's entire production, including PR and recordings, amounts to about 180,000 ILS out-of-pocket. "We started the crowdfunding about 20 days ago, and, thank God, received very positive responses. Out of 120,000 ILS requested, people have already contributed 30,000 ILS, taking a keen interest in the project's pace. They feel heavily involved, becoming almost like my 'right hand' concerning this campaign."

So, that's what currently occupies him. He's mostly left TV acting ("I don't miss it") because he feels most alive with music. Especially when he can bring heartfelt pieces ("which maybe haven't achieved full spiritual healing, but at least they're on that path, so it's something").

Plans for the future? Of course, there are. Professionally: "To continue and bring joy with my unique mission." Spiritually: "To reach a point where I can shelter under Torah scholars in the Jerusalem Kabbalist Yeshiva, dedicating entire days to Torah study." That's how it is with artists whose souls burn within—those longings never truly end. 

Watch the interview with Golan Azulay on the "In a Different Direction" Program on Hidabroot Channel: