Ishay Ribo, the renowned Israeli singer with international success, is a father of five who moved to Eretz Yisroel from France at the age of eight and settled in the West Bank. His upbringing was deeply rooted in religious traditions, and he pursued his education in a yeshiva. During his military service, he also contributed his voice to a rabbinical choir. In a recent interview with Yediot Achronot in Israel, Ribo shared a part of his life story.
“When we initially arrived in Israel, our home was a mobile one. We didn’t have much in terms of material possessions, but we cherished the sense of freedom,” he reminisces. “I have vivid memories of my father, who was unemployed at the time, accompanying me to school in Yerushalayim. Since we didn’t own a car, we relied on hitching rides, and he patiently waited for me until I completed my school day.”
Q: What would you say to your 16-year-old self?
A: I’d tell my 16-year-old self not to dwell on what I lacked. I wouldn’t change a thing about my life. I turned my shortcomings into advantages. Not having a formal music education allowed me to dream freely without the pressure of competing with other kids at school. At 16, I started writing songs, often daydreaming during class and drumming on my desk.
Q: How does religion factor into your life?
A: Religion served as a safeguard, preventing me from crossing certain boundaries when faced with temptation. I’d play on the streets of Yerushalayim and then return to Yeshiva for the night. It may not have aligned with people’s expectations, but it provided the necessary grounding for me.
Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: When I catch a cold and lose my voice, I worry that it could jeopardize my singing career. Fortunately, my wife Yael helps alleviate my stress during such times.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
A: Being able to sing for diverse audiences, comprising both secular and religious individuals, spanning different age groups, and even once for the chief of staff. Through music, I’ve realized my ability to connect with a wide range of people.
Q: If you had access to a time machine, when would you travel back to?
A: I’d go back to the establishment of the state of Israel. After the immense suffering in the Holocaust, there was a remarkable revival. Films from that era radiate extreme joy. Today, everything moves so rapidly. I still remember getting my first Walkman, and I doubt if my kids will experience something similar.
Q: How do you address the divide in Israeli society between religious and secular citizens?
A: It pains me, but it doesn’t come as a surprise. I believe that issues were silenced for too long. Once each side becomes entrenched in their stance, everyone appears to be in the wrong. The solution must emerge from within the people themselves, not from politicians or the media. Ego and financial interests often complicate matters.
Q: What is the most painful aspect of this divide?
A: The lack of a genuine desire for meaningful dialogue. If the situation were as dire as it may seem, I wouldn’t be traveling the world performing with my band, including female members.
Q: Where do you see all of this heading?
A: I don’t subscribe to phrases like “we are on the way to destruction.” I believe that ultimately, this divide will lead to a new form of dialogue.
Q: What do you believe you missed out on in life?
A: If I hadn’t pursued a career in music, I might have become a designer. I even had a hand in designing our new home.
Q: Whose forgiveness do you feel compelled to seek?
A: Let’s turn the question around. Whose forgiveness should I seek? My answer would be my wife. She consistently provides unwavering support for our home and children, even amidst my emotional ups and downs. This profession can be quite dynamic, and I experience things intensely. When I return from a concert, it can be a lonely feeling. However, when I come home, I take on household chores like doing the dishes, taking out the trash, and changing diapers. I may not be a contender for “Father of the Year,” but these tasks ground me.
Q: You recently performed to a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden. How do you balance your personal and professional life?
A: I don’t lead the life of a typical rockstar. While I feel blessed with the love I receive from my fans, I maintain a separation between my public persona and my private life. I’m not particularly active on social media, and I’ve distanced myself from it. I have people who handle my social media postings, but I stepped back from sharing personal aspects of my life.
Q: What don’t you like about the social media culture?
A: I observed people posting about extravagant holidays in the Maldives, likely paid endorsements. Consequently, individuals who couldn’t afford such trips felt compelled to spend their savings on similar vacations, often missing out on the genuine experience. If you don’t post about it, it’s as if you never really experienced it.
Q: What’s your favorite scent?
A: The smell of freshly cut grass.
Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?
A: Indulging in another slice of pizza.
Q: What advice have your parents offered you?
A: My father, who is religious, doesn’t attend my concerts unless they maintain gender separation. Nevertheless, he always expresses interest and advises me to savor the moment and experience it fully. My mother, on the other hand, tends to worry a lot, which used to be challenging for me. Once, a friend pointed out how fortunate I was to have a mother who called every day, which shifted my perspective.
{Matzav.com Israel}
So you do things women do how about koveia itim that men do.
Shkoyach on a ridiculous headline. Why is this newsworthy? Just because he is a musician he should be exempt from doing dishes and changing diapers!? Sounds like a normal person, but definitely not headline worthy – sorry.