Shtisel star Michael Aloni helps JNF UK raise over £60,000

Shtisel star Michael Aloni charmed audiences at two sold-out events, which raised over £60,000 for the charity JNF UK.

The 35-year-old Israeli actor, who hosts The Voice Israel, is best known for playing the part of Akiva in the Netflix TV show Shtisel.

The youngest in a Strictly Orthodox family, his character abandons a career in teaching to become an artist and breaks off three separate engagements. 

Aloni drew some 600 people to Marriott Hotel Regents Park last Sunday for a chance to put a question to the Israeli actor as part of a Q&A session.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the charity’s Yad Tamar project, which supports cancer patients in Israel through a network of volunteers to help with their needs.

Among the fascinating tidbits to emerge from the sessions, it was revealed the actor had originally aspired to become a scientist until a chance encounter in a coffee shop changed his life.

Guests were also treated to a first-hand account of the preparations involved in getting non-religious cast members ready for their parts, including living with families in Mea Shearim and learning Yiddish.

Aloni, who is a ninth generation Israeli on his father’s side, talked about his family background and how his maternal grandfather fought the Nazis during the war.

He concluded his trip to the UK with a visit to Yavneh College, where he spoke to some 200 members of staff and Year 10 and 6th Form pupils.