Rami Kleinstein Opens Up: Faith, Childhood Fears, and the Lesson That Changed His Life

For decades, Israeli singer-songwriter Rami Kleinstein has been creating and performing music while cultivating a deep spiritual and Jewish inner world. In this heartfelt reflection, he opens up about the separation anxiety that began in childhood, the perfectionism that once cost him dearly, and the high school Bible lesson that forever changed his outlook on life.

A Distant Memory I’ll Never Forget

“I was four years old. We lived in New York. Every Shabbat morning, dressed in our finest clothes, we would walk together to synagogue. I remember my mother in her dark green dress insisting on wiping my face with a napkin still stained from breakfast. My mother also taught Hebrew to the local Jewish children on Sundays, in the same synagogue where we prayed. I remember that place vividly, even from such a young age.”

A Feeling of Fear I’ll Never Forget

“I remember struggling a lot with separation anxiety that probably began in childhood. If I woke up and the house was quiet, I immediately thought I was alone — until I heard my parents’ voices. That anxiety stayed with me into my twenties, but as my faith deepened, the fear disappeared.”

An Important Principle I’ll Never Forget

“The greatest enemy of a person is taking things for granted. You must never fall into that trap — not even for a moment. That, to me, is the real work of faith: recognizing that everything — every word spoken, every smile, every tear, every flower that blooms, happens for a reason. Everything exists so that we notice it and give thanks for it.”

A Mitzvah I’ll Never Forget

“Helping others on the road is a mitzvah I’ve been blessed to do many times. Once, for example, I helped a woman who ran out of gas on a hot summer day by driving to a nearby station. Another time, I stopped to help an elderly man struggling to lift a truck tire with his wife. I couldn’t just keep driving. I truly thank God for such opportunities.”

A Jewish Value I’ll Never Forget

“‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ It’s such a profound and wise value — one I revisit again and again. It challenges us to constantly examine how we give. The verse doesn’t mean only giving to yourself or your close family, but to others — your neighbor. Yes, loving your neighbor includes self-love, because only if you care for yourself can you truly give to others. Someone who erases themselves to serve others misses the point, just as someone who thinks only of themselves does. Like so many Torah values, this too is about balance — and above all, not being afraid to live it.”

A Moment of Joy I’ll Never Forget

“The holiest, happiest moments of my life were the births of my children. That instant when a baby enters the world is indescribable. It feels divine, a moment of pure creation. Like the Exodus from Egypt, like leaving Eden — the first meeting of spirit and body. It’s unforgettable, elevating the soul to tears.”

A Torah Lesson I’ll Never Forget

“When I was in high school, we studied the Book of Iyov (Job) in Bible class. I was fifteen, and the teacher — not one of my favorites, wrote two phrases on the board: ‘The human plane’ and ‘The divine plane.’

The book explores Iyov's faith through his suffering — as one by one, everything he loves is taken from him, and he faces unbearable pain and illness. I remember sitting there, trying to grasp the idea of why bad things happen to good people, and suddenly those two phrases struck me deeply. The teacher explained that some things humans can understand on the human plane, but others belong to the divine plane — beyond our understanding.

That moment, taught by a secular teacher, touched me profoundly. It planted in me a deep awareness that has guided my lifelong journey of faith — that some mysteries are not meant to be solved, only accepted with humility before God.”

A Longing I’ll Never Forget

“In general, I’m not a nostalgic person. I live in the present — in doing and learning. The past brought me here, with all its beauty and struggle. I just hope I’m growing enough each day, so that one day I won’t feel I missed something, didn’t do enough, or didn’t fulfill my potential. I prefer to live without regrets rather than with longing.”

A Painful Lesson I’ll Never Forget

“One of my biggest struggles as an artist was perfectionism. My first albums were known as ‘Rami the Perfectionist’ albums. Everything had to be flawless — not a single note escaped my hypercritical ear. I was harsh, especially toward myself, and eventually I hit a serious emotional and physical breakdown.

At the time, I couldn’t relax or accept other people’s ideas. I was too arrogant, convinced that only my ideas were good. Even though the albums were successful, I suffered greatly. I asked myself: is artistic perfection worth such a price?

The lesson was profound. I’ve been through highs and lows since then, and today I know — as with everything in life, that balance is key. The balance between listening to others and trusting your own voice, between collaboration and self-expression. Finding that balance has made me not only a better artist, but a better person.”

A Vision I’ll Never Forget

“Several years ago, I performed at the Klezmer Festival in Safed. I’ve performed for audiences of all kinds — secular, religious, in cities and small towns, even in settlements. I believe music and culture must be accessible to everyone, beyond politics or geography.

But that night in Safed was unforgettable. I stood before a sea of about 4,000 people — all kinds of Jews, united as one. The sight moved me to tears. That connection between all the tribes of Israel was magical. It reminded me that unity is possible — but we have to work for it. That moment of togetherness was one of the most powerful and emotional experiences of my life.”