Din Din Aviv: "I Thought Religion was Blindness, Now I Understand It's the Light"

Pleased to Meet

"Din Din Aviv, 46, married and a mother of four, resides in Hod HaSharon, singer exclusively for women, creator, and vocal instructor."

The Melody of Laws

"I was named Dina at birth, after my grandmother. I was a very cute baby, and my mother, who had me at 19, called me 'Din Din' as an endearing nickname, and it stuck. At 16, I changed my official ID to Din Din. When we returned to faith, some rabbis advised me to change the name to avoid drawing judgment, but I didn't go along. Later, I also found in Pirkei Avot: 'And the law - true law.'

"In a way, I got stuck with 'Din Din Aviv,' but I love it. I feel it's the melody of laws. There are laws of kindness too. If there are laws, then first I'm judging myself. I'm always checking myself, thinking about where I went wrong."

What My Soul Chose

"I was born to a secular family in Holon, then we moved to Ramat Gan, then Ramat Aviv G. Until I was eight and a half, I was an only child, then my brother was born. I always felt different from others around me. Didn't go with the flow. My family was unique too. My mother was Moroccan and Greek, my father Polish, a theater actor, and tap dancer. From a young age, I was on stage with them."

"I practically grew up in music, and my parents were the best teachers for me. I learned piano and ballet, and by age six, I participated in a well-known singing competition. I performed four times a day with 16 musicians, facing thousands of people. I was six but looked four. I wasn't a great singer, had a nice voice - but not amazing. Today, watching children in music shows amazes me. I wasn't singing like them."

(Photo: Hila Lipshas)

"There were wonderful things in childhood and tough ones. A child on stage so young pays a price. Handling ego, envy, competition, success, failures - intense challenges not meant for kids. I was physically harmed by jealous peers, and constant travel wasn't easy. On balance, I'm grateful; those years gave me confidence and were chosen by my soul."

Like a Pomegranate

"As a teen, I sang with the 'Tzofei Tel Aviv' band, joined the Air Force band, and post-service, studied at 'Rimon,' a music school. I started playing drums, where I met Alon, my husband. We began drum lessons the same day."

High Lights

"At our son Eden's brit, Alon started returning to faith. We invited a mohel, and all was planned, but the mohel noticed Alon and asked him to perform the circumcision. The mohel prepared everything; Alon did the final act, which isn't complicated in this manner. Alon wasn't religious at the time, even fasting on Yom Kippur was inconsistent. Before the brit, he was advised by a religious person to immerse in a mikveh and read 'Tikkun HaKlali.' Alon did and arrived with intense spiritual light, prompting the mohel's request. The day after, Alon sought to understand the event, leading him to return to faith."

Tallit In, Jeans Out

"The questions Alon asked, and the answers he received, instantly changed our lives. Suddenly, Alon wanted to keep kosher, attended Torah classes late at night, traveled to Uman, returning with a black hat and kipah, growing beard and peyot over time. I noticed he stopped wearing jeans, so I discarded them as he avoided them. It took longer for the tallit, which he adopted after Eden's chalakah. We bought one for Eden for the event, and I insisted Alon wear it too; since then, he does. Essentially, Eden brought faith into our home. He's sweet, righteous, and a musical prodigy on flute, drums, and keyboards. Whatever he does musically is amazing."

(Photo: Hila Lipshas)

A Treasure of Reverence

"For four years, Alon was strong in faith, but I wasn't. He went to the synagogue; I went to the beach. I mainly rebelled, upset and angry. At the time, a rabbi close to Alon advised: 'Don't be strict with your wife. She has her path. She wishes well for your home as much as you. The woman is the foundation of the home. Speak only good things to her, and with G-d's help, things will be well.' Hearing what Alon's rabbi said ignited my desire to be there. Realizing the Jewish belief in the woman guiding the home changed my entire view."

"Beyond that, seeing the positive faith's impact on Alon made me want it too. Alon was joyful, carrying an impressive aura of light. He had faith in life, integrated better, living life well. I also generally felt it was right; there is a G-d. The transformation allowed me to agree to send our child to a religious kindergarten, trusting the religious educators' reverence. It gave me comfort, trusting they wouldn't harm my child. This significant change allowed me to stop opposing Judaism."

Step by Step

"Although I wanted to grow closer, things evolved slowly for me. It was a challenging process. I wanted it from an authentic place, not rushing, staying true to myself. For instance, I started covering my hair only five years ago, not performing for men just two and a half years ago. I understood the importance of pacing my journey correctly for me. I felt it wouldn't be right for us to leave Hod HaSharon."

"However, I knew I wanted harmony at home, and that Jewish life and laws would help me achieve it. I saw how observance empowered and built me up. Family purity, for example, builds longing and excitement in a relationship, fostering communication. Being joyfully together without physical intimacy is an achievement, pursued for years, still ongoing. It's a sanctification, purification."

"Strengthening mitzvah observance is about learning, awakening, overcoming. I always thought religion was blindness; now I see it as light. Some think secular people are free, but a child in a religious home truly has free choice. Living within boundaries is more challenging than growing up in assumed freedom. Boundaries provide tools for true choice. One's choices are inherently limited, making it essential to teach boundary resilience for true choice. I hope my children choose the Torah path freely. I don't want them to continue Torah tradition automatically, but to opt for it through complete free will."

Tears of Angels

"Despite all the goodness faith brought to my life, there are significant challenges too. Before faith, my musical success was greater; I achieved big things, received more love and appreciation. Today, much less. That's the painful truth. Yet, as mentioned, the goodness is far greater. I shed tears of joy and emotion when I look at my husband and children."

"Today, thank G-d, I choose to create music from a place of holiness and modesty, with immense benefits. For example, I focus less on externals and more on internal aspects, which is so right. For instance, during this Hidabroot interview, I hardly worry about my picture presentation because I know they only use small, barely visible photos, bringing precision and calmness."

"Overall, I see how my music aids me and other women in service to Hashem, which amazes me. I often perform with Rebbetzin Yemima Mizrachi. My band of amazing female musicians energizes and elevates the crowd, preparing women for Rebbetzin Yemima's teachings."

Let's Talk About the Good

"Regarding everything corona-related, how can it not be addressed?! I could complain for hours. I miss performances, I'm used to a different income level, and I've cut back on many things. Fewer classes, clothes for Rosh Hashanah, and generally - less shopping. I'm still figuring out how to navigate this period well. I've had low times - health, emotional, mental. It's tough, but I also see great help from above, true personal guidance."

"We've managed to stay in our large rented home; our landlord lowered the rent a bit, and I received support from music unions. Overall, the embrace in crises by Am Yisrael strengthens me. It's vital to focus on the good. There's so much. I'm tired of discussing the negatives. I want to see positive headlines. Find the good things. They heal, nurture and strengthen."