Kugel () is an Israeli television drama series and prequel to the Israeli television drama series Shtisel. The show was created and written by Yehonatan Indursky, with Sasson Gabai and Hadas Yaron reprising their roles from Shtisel. The series takes place in Antwerp's Haredi community.
The series premiered on yes Drama in Israel on 5 December 2024.Zaltzman, Lior (12 November 2024). The ‘Shtisel’ Spinoff Is Finally Coming in December Kveller. Retrieved on 8 November 2025
Development Indursky, who previously created the Israeli television drama series Shtisel after abandoning Haredi religious practice, has since resumed an observant lifestyle.Zaltzman, Lior (9 September 2023). Co-creator of ‘Shtisel’ identifies as Haredi, again The Times of Israel. Retrieved on 8 November 2025 He initially conceived that a spin-off of Shtisel would focus on the Weiss family, led by Giti (Neta Riskin), Lipa (Zohar Strauss), and Ruchama (Shira Haas). He wrote two episodes, but put the project on hold to return to a third season of Shtisel.
He later returned to the idea of a spin-off. Beginning by considering focusing on Nuchem (Gabi), he then had a chance encounter in a bar with Yaron (who played Nuchem's daughter, Libbi). Yaron suggested revisiting her character, as Shtisel fans often asked Indursky about her fate. Speaking to Haaretz about Nuchem and Libbi in Shtisel, he explained: "Their characters had no autonomy, they just supported the story. So, it's kind of poetic justice that they get their own series now."Hennigan, Adrian (9 March 2025). 'I Called Myself Haredi Even When I Was Secular': 'Shtisel' Creator on New Spin-off Show 'Kugel' Haaretz. Retrieved on 16 November 2025
The series was shot entirely on location in Antwerp, Belgium. Non-actors from the city's Haredi community were hired for some minor roles.Schaechter, Rukhl (6 March 2025). ‘Shtisel’ spin-off ‘Kugel’ richly portrays a diasporic Hasidic community The Forward. Retrieved on 8 November 2025 As American investors were interested, Indursky had considered setting the series in Brooklyn, but ultimately chose Antwerp, faithful to the backstory of Nuchem and Libbi in Shtisel.
Plot Set in the years preceding the events of Shtisel, Kugel centers on Nuchem Shtisel (Gabai), a charismatic and morally flexible jewelry merchant, and his daughter Libi (Yaron). They live in Antwerp in Belgium, where Nuchem's business dealings and personal choices begin to unravel his family life. His wife, Yides (Avital), frustrated by his dishonest behavior, seeks a divorce, prompting Nuchem to juggle efforts to salvage his marriage with aspirations of wealth and status.
Nuchem also becomes interested in Pnina Baumbach (Abuhab), a widow who inherits a restaurant famed for its Jerusalem-style noodle kugel.Goldbart, Max (18 December 2024). Prequel To Smash Israeli Series ‘Shtisel’ In The Works Deadline. Retrieved on 8 November 2025
Cast
Release The series premiered on yes Drama in Israel on 5 December 2024.
The series was released internationally by IZZY – Stream Israel on 28 February 2025.Wallenstein, Andrew (19 February 2025). ‘Kugel’ Marks Big Moment for Israeli Streamer Izzy Variety. Retrieved on 8 November 2025
The show received a premiere screening at Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April 2025.(24 April 2025). Exclusive Premiere: "Kugel" Series Debuts at Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel). Retrieved on 8 November 2025
Reception The show received critical acclaim upon its release in Israel.Bergner, Daniel (27 February 2025). How the Creator of ‘Shtisel’ Fled His Ultra-Orthodox Life — and Returned The New York Times. Retrieved on 8 November 2025
The show series was praised by Rukhl Schaechter, writing in The Forward: "For Shtisel fans who’ve been waiting for another television series that depicts the members of a Hasidic community as real people rather than one-dimensional caricatures, Kugel really delivers. It tells a story filled with subtle cultural references and the witty irony of the Eastern European Yiddish tradition and, just as Shtisel did during its three seasons, draws us into the day-to-day lives of people in a Hasidic community as if these were our next-door neighbors."
The series was praised by Eliana Jordan for The Jewish Chronicle: "With its phenomenal writing, perfect pacing and all-round excellent storytelling this new Israeli series does its predecessor proud."Jordan, Eliana (27 February 2025). Kugel review: ‘superb Shtisel spin-off’ The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved on 8 November 2025
Lior Zaltzman praised the series in a review for Kveller, stating that it feels like a "Haredi fairytale", drawing favourable parallels with the work and themes of Haredi filmmaker, Rama Burshtein. Zaltzman praised the acting and cinematography and concluded "it is a marvelously warm comfort and a treat for the eyes and the heart, a little like the dish it is named after."Zaltzman, Lior (25 April 2025). Is ‘Kugel,’ the Prequel to ‘Shtisel,’ Worth the Watch? Kveller. Retrieved on 8 November 2025
See also Israeli television Haredim and Zionism Culture of Israel
References
External links