The Women's Balcony 2017
Directed by
Emil Ben-Shimon
Made by
Menemsha Films
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of The Women's Balcony (2017). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
An orthodox congregation in Jerusalem gathers to celebrate a Bar Mitzvah when disaster strikes—a section of the synagogue’s balcony, where the women are seated, suddenly collapses. This tragic event leaves the rabbi’s wife severely injured and in a coma, leaving the elder rabbi in a state of despair, unable to fulfill his duties. During this difficult time, Zion steps in to care for him, but the congregation struggles to organize the rebuilding efforts due to a lack of leadership and direction.
As the community convenes in a schoolroom for their morning prayers, they find themselves short of a required quorum of ten men, known as a minyan. In an effort to remedy this, they stop a man dressed in Hasidic garb passing by—he turns out to be Rabbi David, a dedicated teacher. Rabbi David brings along some of his students, effortlessly meeting the minyan requirement.
Upon hearing the congregation’s plight, Rabbi David takes the reins to oversee the repairs of the synagogue. However, he chooses not to address the damaged women’s balcony right away, citing a lack of funds as the reason. In an attempt to encourage the men to adhere to stricter religious practices, he instructs them to urge their wives to cover their heads and even suggests gifting them elegant headscarves. Unfortunately, his request is largely met with resistance.
Frustrated by the lack of attention given to their needs, the women of the congregation, led by Etti, Zion’s wife, decide to take matters into their own hands. They raise sufficient funds for the reconstruction of the balcony, depositing the money into the synagogue’s bank account. However, Rabbi David staunchly opposes the reconstruction, arguing that a new Torah scroll must be obtained to replace the one destroyed in the balcony’s collapse before any rebuilding can commence.
Meanwhile, Rabbi David’s assistant is secretly pursuing a romantic relationship with Etti’s niece, complicating matters further. The women resolve to leave their husbands, stating they won’t return until the balcony is completed, and they even stage a protest outside Rabbi David’s school.
The synagogue’s treasurer, who needs to co-sign any construction checks, has been deliberately avoiding the rabbi to dodge pressure. Rabbi David seeks the old rabbi’s advice, attempting to justify his insistence on the new Torah scroll as a requirement under Jewish law. However, the old rabbi, still grappling with the shock of recent events, cannot provide a coherent response.
In a determined act, Rabbi David forges the treasurer’s signature and entrusts the check to his assistant, instructing him to cash it to commission a scribe to create the new Torah scroll. He also sternly warns his assistant to end the relationship with Etti’s niece, coupling his demand with legal documents meant to halt the women’s protest.
As Rabbi David observes from his office, his assistant approaches the picketing women—not with a legal notice, but instead hands Etti’s niece the check, which facilitates the commencement of the balcony’s reconstruction. In the film’s heartwarming conclusion, the old rabbi finally visits his wife in the hospital, coming to terms with their ordeal. The story culminates in the joyous wedding of the young couple, with the old rabbi present, while Rabbi David is approached by yet another congregation in need of a minyan.
Timeline
Track the key events of The Women's Balcony (2017) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Bar Mitzvah Celebration
The orthodox congregation in Jerusalem gathers to celebrate a Bar Mitzvah, a significant religious milestone for young boys in Judaism. Unfortunately, the joyous occasion soon turns into a disaster when a section of the synagogue's balcony collapses, leading to chaos and tragedy.
Balcony Collapse
The collapse of the balcony injures several congregants, with the rabbi's wife sustaining severe injuries that leave her in a coma. This incident casts a shadow over the community, leaving the elder rabbi devastated and struggling to fulfill his spiritual duties during a time of crisis.
Zion Steps In
In the wake of the disaster, Zion takes on the responsibility of caring for the elder rabbi, providing him with emotional support. The congregation, however, faces a daunting challenge in organizing themselves for the rebuilding efforts due to a lack of leadership amidst the turmoil.
Struggle for Minyan
During morning prayers, the congregation finds itself short of a minyan, the required quorum of ten men. To resolve this, they stop a passing man in Hasidic garb, who turns out to be Rabbi David, a dedicated teacher willing to help.
Rabbi David Takes Charge
Rabbi David steps up to oversee the repairs of the synagogue, but his approach is controversial. He prioritizes obtaining a new Torah scroll before addressing the damaged women's balcony, citing financial constraints as the reason for delaying the repairs.
Increased Religious Demands
In an effort to strengthen the congregation's religious practices, Rabbi David urges the men to encourage their wives to cover their heads and to gift elegant headscarves. This request, however, encounters significant resistance from the women, highlighting a growing rift.
Women Take Action
Frustrated by their exclusion from decision-making, the women, led by Etti, resolve to raise funds for the museum's reconstruction themselves. They successfully collect enough money and deposit it into the synagogue’s bank account, ready to initiate the repairs.
Conflict Over Reconstruction
Despite the women's fundraising efforts, Rabbi David vehemently opposes the balcony reconstruction until a new Torah scroll is obtained, creating tension within the community. This disagreement further illustrates the divide between the male and female congregants.
Romantic Complications
Adding complexity to the community's struggles, Rabbi David's assistant becomes romantically involved with Etti's niece. This relationship complicates the already tense atmosphere as the women vow to leave their husbands until the balcony is repaired.
Protest from the Women
The women, dissatisfied with the lack of progress, decide to stage a protest outside Rabbi David's school. Their actions emphasize their urgent demands for attention and respect for their needs in the face of the ongoing conflict regarding the synagogue's reconstruction.
Treasurer's Evasion
The synagogue's treasurer is deliberately avoiding Rabbi David to escape the pressure of co-signing construction checks necessary for the restoration. This adds another layer of difficulty as Rabbi David seeks guidance from the elder rabbi on handling this dilemma.
Old Rabbi's Confusion
In a moment of distress, the elder rabbi, still reeling from the recent tragedy, struggles to give coherent advice to Rabbi David. This further highlights the turmoil and disarray affecting the entire congregation during this challenging time.
Forging the Treasurer's Signature
In a desperate act to move forward, Rabbi David forges the treasurer's signature to obtain the necessary funds for the new Torah scroll. He entrusts the check to his assistant, insisting that he use it to fund the new scroll while also addressing the romantic connection that complicates the situation.
Picketing Women Concessions
Observing the protest from his office, Rabbi David's assistant approaches the picketing women not with legal documents but with the check needed for the balcony repairs. This unexpected move leads to a significant breakthrough in the community's rebuilding efforts.
Conclusion and Reconciliation
The story reaches its heartwarming conclusion as the elder rabbi visits his wife in the hospital, finally coming to terms with their ordeal. The film ends on a joyful note with the wedding of a young couple, symbolizing hope, while Rabbi David prepares to assist another congregation in need.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring The Women's Balcony (2017) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Rabbi David
Rabbi David is a dedicated and somewhat rigid leader who steps in to oversee the community's response to the synagogue's tragedy. While he aims to maintain tradition, his reluctance to adapt to the women's needs reveals his struggles with change and leadership in crisis.
Etti
Etti is a strong-willed woman who takes the initiative when the needs of the female congregation are overlooked. Her determination to ensure the reconstruction of the women's balcony showcases her leadership and commitment to the community's welfare.
Zion
Zion is a supportive figure who helps guide the elder rabbi through his despair. His role as a caretaker reflects the importance of community support and highlights the emotional weight borne by individuals during collective hardships.
Setting
Uncover the settings of The Women's Balcony (2017), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting ongoing societal challenges and religious dynamics within an orthodox Jewish community. It portrays modern struggles while anchored in timeless themes of faith, tradition, and community cohesion.
Location
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city of profound historical and religious significance, known as a sacred site for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The community gathers at a synagogue, highlighting the deep-rooted traditions and cultural practices within the orthodox congregation.
Themes
Explore the core themes of The Women's Balcony (2017). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Community
The film emphasizes the strength and resilience of community, particularly in the face of tragedy. The congregation's efforts to rebuild the women's balcony symbolize their dedication to inclusivity and unity, showcasing how collective action can empower individuals in challenging times.
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Tradition vs. Change
The struggle between adhering to traditional practices and adapting to modern needs serves as a central theme. Rabbi David’s strict adherence to religious law contrasts with the women’s proactive approach to securing their rights, highlighting the tension between established norms and evolving social roles.
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Love
Amidst the challenges faced by the community, the theme of love unfolds through personal relationships, particularly with the hidden romance between Rabbi David's assistant and Etti's niece. This subplot adds depth and lightness to the narrative, illustrating the complexities of romantic connections within a tightly knit community.
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