Mother of Israeli actor discovers he is laying tefillin: 'I was in a panic'

Actor and musician Ilay Chapman shared a video on Instagram describing the moment his mother caught him laying tefillin. He admitted he feared her reaction but emphasized he has no reason to be ashamed of a faith that strengthens him.

Actor and musician Ilay Chapman shared a video on his Instagram account describing the moment his mother caught him laying tefillin. Chapman admitted the moment was accompanied by anxiety, but clarified he has no reason to be ashamed of his connection to faith: 'It makes me feel good, comfortable, strengthens my connection with my faith.' In the video, he recounted that while laying tefillin, he heard his mother enter and feared her reaction. He described her facial expression when she saw him: 'She made this face like, 'Wow, what are you doing? What's the schedule?'' Despite the initial fear, Chapman emphasized he is at peace with his choice. The article also covers Chapman's family background, growing up in Kiryat Ono in an academic family, and his acting and music career, including his participation in the musical 'Hair' in October 2025 and a serious car accident he suffered in November 2025.