Eden Harel: "I Don't Allow My Kids to Participate in Shows, Except in One Place"

"I didn't have to work hard to connect with the role; I felt it was simply 'built' for me," says Eden Harel with a smile, as she speaks about the new series on the Hidabroot Channel – 'The Cypress Hotel'. "My name is Eden, and although some think gentleness is far from me, I can testify that it exists. That's why I felt that the role of the restrained and responsible hotel manager suited me. My partner in the hotel ownership is my dear life partner – Oded, and the role fits him quite well too. He is more hysterical, panicking when things aren't right in the hotel, but ultimately he tries to take responsibility with courage and determination. Honestly, it was quite nice to become a hotel manager, even if only for a few days."

Both Work and Experience

Eden stands behind the hotel counter, phones are ringing, customers come and go, and meanwhile, complex events unfold. For example, when Tzur is about to open a guest's package marked 'Virus Attack' – a virus that turns out to be lethal and dangerous.

Or when the chef, Berdugo, prepares a gourmet dish for the hotel guests, but Shashon (the famous puppet) drops it on the floor. Oded, of course, is alarmed, while Eden tries to calm him: "In our hotel, it's like at home, no yelling." Oded's disappointed response to the loss of 250 shekels: "At home, we sometimes do yell..."

There, among the lobby's padded chairs and elevators, adventures unfold with lots of suspense and humor, mostly courtesy of Tzur, the audience's favorite, who serves as the receptionist.

"It was a special experience acting with Tzur, Shashon, and Berdugo – all characters we've acted with in the past quite a bit, which made the filming atmosphere enjoyable and very special," Eden reveals. "We really enjoyed participating in the series."

You're talking in terms of 'fun' and 'nice.' After so many years in the field, do you mean to tell me that participating in these programs is still an experience? Doesn't it become a work routine at some point?

"You'd be surprised, but no. First of all, acting is always fun and a break from routine, because I come from the world of hosting, and in most programs, I serve as a host. Here, in the new series, I'm acting, and I really enjoy the character I slipped into. Also, as I've already mentioned – the company around us is very pleasant, and all the participants are dear and quality people, and more than anything – the scripts are clean, and I feel truly privileged to bring them to life."

"When I became religious, I told myself there are things I would have to give up, and one of them was acting. To my great delight, I discovered shortly afterward the wonderful Hidabroot Channel, which proved to me that I don't have to give up my dreams. The channel is so clean and respects the laws of Halacha. As I've said – it's a privilege for me to work there."

Speaking of scripts, are you the type of actor who diligently memorizes scripts dozens of times before filming?

Eden laughs at the question. "Anyone who works on the series knows I'm unbearable in this regard and almost never study the scripts. I somehow manage to improvise and mostly hide the scripts in good locations where I can glance at them during filming without anyone noticing. By the way, unlike me, Oded is much more talented; he can learn quite well by heart. I am weaker than him in this."

And what about your six children? Were they also involved in producing the new series?

"Our children watched the first two episodes of the series with us, and they really loved, connected with, and got excited about it. They are very hopeful they might be invited to participate in one of the future episodes."

If they are invited, will you approve?

"My children love to act, but they know there are boundaries, and I only allow them to participate on the Hidabroot Channel, as it's a clean channel. I don't allow them elsewhere, and they know it."

Wishing This for Every Couple

The first episodes of 'The Cypress Hotel' aired during Chanukah and gained tens of thousands of views. "The main question I encounter is – 'Which amazing hotel did you film at? We want to go there too,'" says Eden and laughs. "But the truth is that everything was filmed at the Hidabroot studios. The production and set design people built a structure there that looks just like a hotel, with immense investment and unique scenery. In general, the studios in Petah Tikva are particularly advanced, and each time I'm surprised anew by the channel's level of investment."

By the way, Eden also mentions that part of the enjoyment of participating in the series was the joint rides she had with Oded. "That's something I can wish for every couple – to be together for such long hours during the day and perform a joint show. By the way, we also have a show we tour around the country called 'Eye to Eye' – it's a show where we mostly laugh at ourselves. The next performance is at 'Beit Tsioni America' in Tel Aviv next Monday. It's also an opportunity for us to be together."

Do you sometimes bring your children to the performances?

"No, up to a point. The performances are in the evening, and we go to them alone. However, in the last week, thanks to Chanukah, we were with the kids every day in the mornings. We enjoyed it a lot and didn't look for other activities. Although when we went to Luna Park and various places, people recognized us and tried to approach us, it didn't ruin our fun at all. The only thing important to us is to create as much family unity as possible, and that's what we focus on."