Eyal Cohen: "To Young People, I Advise Against Going on Reality Shows"

Two and a half years after the grand finale of 'The Voice' in which he participated, Eyal Cohen (31) talks about the experience that offered him new insights, his debut album set to be released soon, and the renewed connection with Hashem, to whom he returned after a long search that began from the need to find his identity and unique place in the world.

Cohen describes the single 'Leaving the Sky' as a direct conversation between him and Hashem. The lyrics deal with the fact that a person wants a place in the world, just as he is. Regardless of the clothes he wears - with a hat, without a yarmulke, with wild hair or a scarf. To come as you are and be connected to the sky."

Reflecting on the insights from participating in the show, Cohen expressed that he now sees things from a different, more mature perspective. "To young people, in age or identity, I advise against going on reality shows," he said in an interview with ynet. "It’s a well-oiled and powerful machine that can consume many good people. Personally, I am very grateful for the exposure, but I entered the show as a fairly mature creator, with a strong and supportive family. Most of the album’s songs were born before 'The Voice,' and only a small portion were added after and because of the show."

"I Sought to Create with Honesty, and That’s What I’m Doing. Performing in My Own Way"

Cohen grew up in a religious home but distanced himself somewhat from observing commandments during high school. During this period, he met Maya, who later became his wife. After military service and studies, he thought teaching was his direction. But then "the penny dropped and I realized that despite my love for students and books, I want to live in the world of writing and creating. I started writing and composing the album, and then a friend signed me up for 'The Voice,' and it all progressed from there."

A few months ago, Maya and Eyal decided to move with their children to India for strengthening performances for Israeli travelers, organized by 'Beit Liba' in Tel Aviv. "It was an inspiring period," recalls Cohen. "Every Saturday night, we performed before 150-200 people. A performance without filters, on a mattress, in an Indian atmosphere, in the north of the country at the foot of the Himalayas. It was an experience that transformed me. I returned from there very calm, very confident, very whole.

"That's when I understood there's no reason to rush the journey. Yes, on 'The Voice' two million people recognized my face. Sometimes it's nice, but it's really not the point. I sought to create with honesty. That's what I'm doing - performing in my own way. And it's great to see that it resonates with a wide audience."

All the songs on the album are Cohen's own creations, all of which he wrote and composed himself. However, in live performances, Cohen also performs songs by other artists he feels connected to. One of them is Meir Banai, of blessed memory. After paying his condolences at Banai's shiva, Cohen sat in his car and simply reflected for two hours, writing down everything he received from Banai. "One insight I received is that there is this thing among singer-songwriters where they only sing their songs and only new material. I understand that and have been there. It's my strongest expression. But I began to realize I have a talent for presenting and playing songs - even when they're not mine. Recently, I've been incorporating songs by Meir Banai, of blessed memory, and it feels authentic to me. It’s right for me to echo voices of other artists, especially when it comes to Meir, who greatly influenced me with his light and goodness."