Assi Israelof on grief and new beginnings: "I was in pain and it was sad"
The beloved comedian speaks for the first time about the painful marital crisis he endured, the challenges of living alone in the heart of Tel Aviv, and his decision not to give up on his biggest dream.
Comedian and creator Assi Israelof, a veteran of the "Ma Kashur" trio and a prominent figure in Israeli culture ("Buba Shel Laila", "Leshaher et Shuli"), has opened up about the turmoil he has faced recently. In a conversation on the "Ha-Enak Ha-Yarok" podcast from "Beit Ha-Podium", Israelof discussed navigating a painful marital crisis, the experience of being single at 46, and his frustrations with the current state of Tel Aviv.
The marital crisis followed a personal one: his divorce. Israelof described the emotional intensity of the relationship that ended: "I had a very great love, my heart opened at 70,000 km/h, thank God... I really loved deeply." He did not hide the emotional price he paid: "I was in pain, it was sad, and it wasn't cool, but it happened and it ended. We learned and grew, and thank God for everything."
The artist is channeling these experiences and insights into his music. He is currently working on a deeply personal solo album. "I am divorced, and I am working on it... The album is about a 46-year-old divorcee from Ramle living in Neve Tzedek... about loves, disappointments, successes, children, home—everything you can describe," he said of the process.
Life alone in the heart of Tel Aviv also brings a struggle with loneliness. Israelof shared: "There are periods of great loneliness. But when you are alone, there is something in that solitude—it becomes a kind of safe place." Regarding the atmosphere at home, he added: "My loneliness today is my safe place, which is both good and bad. Bad because it's not ideal, but on the other hand, you are open." He noted that "Tel Aviv is a city that sanctifies loneliness; you put on headphones, sit alone, and it's not strange—you can sit for six hours by yourself."
Alongside the emotional insights, the conversation took a comedic turn when Israelof addressed daily life in Tel Aviv, traffic, and the light rail construction that hampers his movement: "I live in the most frustrating city in the world. I am a Tel Avivian, but I cannot leave my neighborhood. They closed the whole area, and they do what they want. They decided to close Allenby for a light rail that takes 35 years to build, and I heard they made another mistake and dug in the wrong place. We are funding it, but just let me drive! Allenby is closed, I can't get out, and all of Tel Aviv is cameras—there is nowhere to run, it's a trash can of a city."
Despite the pain and criticism, Israelof remains optimistic. He emphasizes that the willingness to be vulnerable is essential to finding closeness: "You cannot truly come, want to meet love, and open up without being exposed to both good and bad." He distilled his romantic aspirations for the future: "What I understood from this amazing love is that my heart is open and I just want to fine-tune it. My heart is very open right now; it didn't deter me, on the contrary. I wanted love, I received it... now I want more than love, I want a home. My biggest dream today is a home."
