Shuli Rand
Encyclopedia
Shalom "Shuli" Rand is an Israel
i film
actor
, writer, and singer. He is a Haredi Jew
and is best known in the English-speaking world for his acting his role as the protagonist in Ushpizin (2005) as well as being the writer of the movie.
family and attended the Or Etzion yeshiva
until age 18. After compulsory army
service, Rand embarked on a career in theater where he relinquished Orthodoxy. He attended the exclusive Nissan Nativ Acting Studio in Tel Aviv
and became a successful theatrical actor. He rose to fame at age 26 after playing the lead role in Andzei Vida's famous play The Dybbuk at the Habima theater. Rand was chosen Israel’s Theater Actor of the Year several times.
Shuli Rand and his wife have seven children and live in the Ramot
suburb of Jerusalem.
to observant Judaism, joining the Breslover Hasidic
movement, and moved to Jerusalem. He is a student of Rabbi Shalom Arush
. Rand withdrew from acting in order to realize his religious aspirations, but after an eight-year hiatus managed to return to the screen with Ushpizin.
and rabbinical consultation, which allowed the Rands to participate. Rand's wife, Michal Batsheva Rand, who had no previous acting experience, acted alongside Rand as the protagonist's wife in Ushpizin. Michal Rand is also a baalas teshuva
.
, New Land, as well as Ushpizin. In 2004 Shuli and Michal Batsheva Rand founded the Jewish Theatre of Jerusalem.
(Best Supporting Actor) and in 2004 for Ushpizin (Best Actor).
’s teachings. Over 30,000 copies of the self-released CD were sold, and it was awarded a gold album in Israel.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, writer, and singer. He is a Haredi Jew
Haredi Judaism
Haredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox. A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi ....
and is best known in the English-speaking world for his acting his role as the protagonist in Ushpizin (2005) as well as being the writer of the movie.
Personal history
Rand was born Shalom Rand (February 8, 1962) and raised in Bnei Brak, Israel in a religious-zionistReligious Zionism
Religious Zionism is an ideology that combines Zionism and Jewish religious faith...
family and attended the Or Etzion yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
until age 18. After compulsory army
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
service, Rand embarked on a career in theater where he relinquished Orthodoxy. He attended the exclusive Nissan Nativ Acting Studio in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
and became a successful theatrical actor. He rose to fame at age 26 after playing the lead role in Andzei Vida's famous play The Dybbuk at the Habima theater. Rand was chosen Israel’s Theater Actor of the Year several times.
Shuli Rand and his wife have seven children and live in the Ramot
Ramot
Ramot , also known as Ramot Alon , is a large housing development in northwestern Jerusalem. Because part of Ramot lies north of the Green Line in East Jerusalem, the international community considers Ramot an Israeli settlement that is illegal under international law. Israel disputes this and...
suburb of Jerusalem.
Finding Breslov
In 1996, he returnedBaal teshuva
Baal teshuva or ba'al teshuvah , sometimes abbreviated to BT, is a term referring to a Jew who turns to embrace Orthodox Judaism. Baal teshuva literally means, "repentant", i.e., one who has repented or "returned" to God...
to observant Judaism, joining the Breslover Hasidic
Breslov (Hasidic dynasty)
Breslov is a branch of Hasidic Judaism founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism...
movement, and moved to Jerusalem. He is a student of Rabbi Shalom Arush
Shalom Arush
Shalom Arush is an Israeli Breslov rabbi and founder of the Chut Shel Chessed Institutions. He spreads the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov among Sephardic and Ashkenazic baalei teshuva around the world through his books and speaking appearances...
. Rand withdrew from acting in order to realize his religious aspirations, but after an eight-year hiatus managed to return to the screen with Ushpizin.
Ushpizin Movie
Shuli Rand wrote, and starred in the movie Ushpizin. The movie was produced in accordance with HalakhaHalakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
and rabbinical consultation, which allowed the Rands to participate. Rand's wife, Michal Batsheva Rand, who had no previous acting experience, acted alongside Rand as the protagonist's wife in Ushpizin. Michal Rand is also a baalas teshuva
Baal teshuva
Baal teshuva or ba'al teshuvah , sometimes abbreviated to BT, is a term referring to a Jew who turns to embrace Orthodox Judaism. Baal teshuva literally means, "repentant", i.e., one who has repented or "returned" to God...
.
Acting career
Shuli Rand has acted in Hameuad, Eddie King, Life According to AgfaLife According to Agfa
Life According to Agfa is a 1993 Israeli drama film directed by Assi Dayan. It was entered into the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival where it won an Honourable Mention.-Cast:* Gila Almagor as Daliah* Akram Tillawi as Samir...
, New Land, as well as Ushpizin. In 2004 Shuli and Michal Batsheva Rand founded the Jewish Theatre of Jerusalem.
Awards
Rand received the Ophir Award (Award of the Israeli Film Academy) twice, in 1993 for Life According to AgfaLife According to Agfa
Life According to Agfa is a 1993 Israeli drama film directed by Assi Dayan. It was entered into the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival where it won an Honourable Mention.-Cast:* Gila Almagor as Daliah* Akram Tillawi as Samir...
(Best Supporting Actor) and in 2004 for Ushpizin (Best Actor).
Singing career
In 2008, Rand released his first album, Good Point (נקודה טובה) with 11 songs, which he wrote himself based on Rebbe NachmanNachman of Breslov
Nachman of Breslov , also known as Reb Nachman of Bratslav, Reb Nachman Breslover , Nachman from Uman , was the founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement....
’s teachings. Over 30,000 copies of the self-released CD were sold, and it was awarded a gold album in Israel.
External links
- Personal Interview with Shuly Rand Reported by Leadel.NET