This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Culturally specific and embracingly universal, the Israeli comedy-drama "The Women's Balcony" is an exuberant, life-affirming celebration of community in the face of crisis.

The first scene shows that sense of joy felt by the members of Rabbi Menashe's congregation as they form a happy procession to their synagogue in Jerusalem. There's a bar mitzvah on this day, so the women all carry casserole dishes for the potluck after the ceremony.

This is an Orthodox synagogue, so the menfolk sit on the lower floor during the ceremony, while the women celebrate in a balcony overlooking the men. Everyone is happy and joyous until the floor of the balcony collapses. Rabbi Menashe's wife is hospitalized, and the rabbi goes into a deep funk as the synagogue is closed pending expensive renovations.

The men gather for prayers, but are short the 10 needed to complete a minyan, or quorum. They ask passing strangers to join them, and one young man not only says yes, but brings along students from his yeshiva. The man, Rabbi David (played by Aviv Alush, whom Christian audiences will recognize for his role as Jesus in "The Shack"), seems to be the answer to the congregation's prayers.

The men of the congregation, like the shopkeeper Zion (Igal Naor), are impressed with Rabbi David's passionate sermonizing. But Zion's wife, Etti (Evelin Hagoel), and the other women bristle at the rabbi's extremist reading of Talmudic law — like insisting that women cover their heads.

As Rabbi David's influence grows, so does a rift within the congregation. Some of Etti's friends start shunning her, while Zion notices he's being spied on by a student of David's yeshiva. The split takes on a "Romeo & Juliet" quality when young Yaffa (Yafit Asulin), Etti's niece, starts dating Naftali (Assaf Ben Shimon), Rabbi David's loyal assistant.

First-time screenwriter Shlomit Nehama invests her script with plenty of heart, good humor and some pleasant surprises. Director Emil Ben-Shimon navigates a strong ensemble cast through Nehama's story, finding jewels for each performer to polish until they gleam.

There's a serious undercurrent running through "The Women's Balcony," a warning about the dangers of fundamentalism tearing friends and family apart. But that message is delivered in such a powerfully heartwarming way that it leaves one smiling by the conclusion.

Twitter: @moviecricket —

HHHhj

'The Women's Balcony'

A new rabbi causes a rift in a Jerusalem synagogue's congregation in this warm and exuberant comedy-drama.

Where • Broadway Centre Cinemas.

When • Opens Friday, July 14.

Rating • Not rated, but probably PG for some mature references and an accident scene.

Running time • 100 minutes; in Hebrew with subtitles.