Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yochai Greenfeld. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yochai, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
In 2020, the pandemic taught me that there are no steady careers in the performing arts—not even for Broadway performers. At the time, I was on what I believed was the first step of my steady Broadway career: the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof. But that wasn’t the case—not for me, nor for any of my colleagues, including veteran Broadway performers. We all entered the abyss together, and not all of us made it out still holding on to our stage careers.
With no stages to grace and talents suddenly deemed “non-essential,” I turned inward. I had long wanted to explore my creativity, particularly in writing and drag, which I had just started experimenting with in 2019. Though I was initially drawn to it through RuPaul’s Drag Race, which was still at the height of its sensational popularity, I quickly realized that my brand of drag was something else entirely. Traditional drag is one thing. But mine? Mine was literally traditional.
I grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Israel and knew from an early age that I was gay. In the world I was raised in, that wasn’t a celebrated identity—it wasn’t even seen as a real option. I spent five years in conversion “therapy,” trying to change something unchangeable. Eventually, I understood that the only way forward was to live authentically. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that my journey wasn’t just about rejecting what harmed me—it was also about reclaiming what I loved.
My first time in drag was also my debut as a playwright. As part of the LABA Fellowship for Jewish artists in New York, I wrote a 20-minute play about a drag queen who sits a fake shivah—the Jewish mourning ritual—for her son, who has just come out of the closet, using it as a way to shun him from the community. This farcical play later developed into a full-length production at the Queer Jewish Arts Festival in 2022—but that’s another story. One of the results of this multifaceted project was that it gave me a drag persona I could now use freely: Abbi Gzunt, a play on “A’bi Gzunt”—Yiddish for “Be healthy!”—a phrase often used both as a blessing and a loving sigh of exasperation.
Between those productions, I ventured into video content. I had always wanted to create “Jewtorials”—short, comedic explanations of Jewish holidays—offering a fresh, irreverent take on tradition through the lens of drag. I imagined that observant Jews would appreciate seeing these customs reflected in a new way, while those less familiar with Judaism might find an accessible, entertaining entry point. Over the course of seven episodes, I honed my craft, culminating in my first professional collaboration with Israeli filmmaker and longtime friend Itzik Amar.
That drive to push myself creatively led to my latest endeavor: a yearlong weekly video series exploring Torah commentary under the banner of “Haus of Midrash”. In Drag culture, a Haus is usually a creative, collective and chosen family, while in Jewish tradition, Midrash refers to centuries of Rabbinic commentary on sacred texts, additionally, a House of Midrash is a common name for a hall dedicated for Torah study. The name reflects my mission: to bring Jewish thought to life through the artistry of Drag, while reclaiming a sacred Jewish space.
This project had been a dream of mine for years, with the ideal launch point around Simchat Torah, the holiday that marks the end and beginning of the annual Torah reading cycle. But the year I planned to begin, everything changed. On October 7th, 2023 – the world I knew shattered. The horrifying pogrom and the atrocious war that followed left me paralyzed, unable to create, let alone release content. As the famous saying goes, “When the cannons roar, the muses are silent.”
Thankfully, by the following Simchat Torah, I was ready to begin. Since then, I have been on an intense creative journey, producing a new video every week—over twenty so far—with the goal of completing all 54 portions by October 2025. The structure of the project has forced me into a level of consistency and discipline unlike anything I’ve experienced before.
This journey has brought me immense joy, but also significant challenges. Working alone—writing, filming, editing, and keeping up with weekly deadlines—has been exhausting. I rely on platforms like Meta, YouTube, and TikTok to help the work find its audience, but word of mouth has been just as powerful. One of my favorite messages came from a group of Christian Bible study friends who told me they’ve been watching my videos together as part of their classes.
Finding my voice in drag has been transformative. Artistically, I feel like I’m carving out a distinct style and tone. Personally, I’ve found a way to stand at the intersection of my creative passions and my religious upbringing—not just making peace with it, but reclaiming the richness of a tradition that once tried to erase me. That, more than anything, has been the greatest gift of all.
Looking ahead, I have big dreams for the next phase of my work. While I’m proud of what I’ve built on my own, I believe in the power of collaboration. I’m eager to find creative partners who can help elevate my work and extend its influence beyond my current circles. I also dream of finding my creative counterpart in Drag—a collaborator like the iconic duos in Drag culture, whose chemistry sparks unparalleled creativity: the Trixie to my Katya, the Monèt to my Bob, the Jinkx to my BenDeLaCreme.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’ve always been deeply connected to my cultural and spiritual roots, having grown up in Israel surrounded by the richness of Jewish heritage. At 25, I took my first steps into the performing arts as a dancer, hoping it wasn’t too late to carve out a space for myself. Over time, my artistry expanded, embracing acting, singing, and eventually musical theater as my creative home.
When I moved to New York in 2017, I discovered the world of drag and writing—two art forms that reshaped my path. Drag has allowed me to blend performance, identity, and tradition in a way that feels both deeply personal and boundary-pushing. Writing, on the other hand, connects me to universal stories, bringing new depth to my artistic expression.
Now, based in Brooklyn, I balance my career as an artist with a part-time role in the Jewish non-profit sector. It’s a unique blend of creativity and stability, and I cherish the flexibility remote work offers, allowing me to continue to grow and explore my artistic voice while maintaining a steady livelihood.
As mentioned before, my stage career was deeply affected by the pandemic. Though I’ve been blessed with creative endeavors that keep me busy and innovative, I miss performing in large-scale productions and working with a big cast – I love that energy of creating something big together. While I’ve had a few opportunities in recent years, I don’t feel the same momentum I had before the pandemic. This shift is partially due to my transition from a dancing-first approach to focusing more on acting and singing – what got me in front of casting directors and producers pre-pandemic was a different skill set, and now it feels like a whole new game.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Patience, introspection, and hope have been pivotal in my journey. Patience is crucial because finding your unique path often takes considerable time. Introspection helps me navigate challenges by understanding their impact on me deeply. Most importantly, hope fuels my perseverance, even when optimism feels unwarranted. Like investments in the stock market, long-term commitment yields appreciation. Trust that every investment of talent pays off when you stay dedicated for the long haul.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron has been a vital guide in my artistic journey, as it has for so many others. The practice of Morning Pages, Artist Dates, and even expense monitoring have become essential tools in my life, helping me maintain a broader perspective on my creative path. These practices keep me grounded, fostering both discipline and play, while reinforcing the importance of nurturing my inner artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yochaigreenfeld.com
- Instagram: @abbigzunt
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcZ4n0HXg98C8FdX0EHYJCyRRlRs6kFDZ&si=Loh85Lqenq4NG0qR
Image Credits
Nico Fernandez-Kiray, Andrew Mauney, Ohad Kab.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
