Hard Love Theatre Or
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Still, if Israel’s taught the Jewish diaspora anything it’s how not to be defined by one’s enemies. Pointing out the fissures in Israeli culture may seem frivolous (and possibly dangerous) when there’s a war on, but it’s an absolutely necessary frivolity because it suggests that Israeli life–even Israeli feuds–will continue, Katyushas or no.
A sort of Talmudic melodrama offering lots of argument along with its romantic contrivances, Hard Love tells the tale of two Israelis–Zvi and Hannah–who were married 20 years ago, when both were Hasidim living in the ferociously strict Meah Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem. Never quite comfortable in his faith, Zvi went a little mad after their child was stillborn. He renounced God, cut his payes, changed his name from Herschel to Zvi, moved out, and started writing fiction. Hannah chose to stay put, divorcing him and marrying a pious older man. Now, wonder of wonders, the children of their second marriages–Hannah’s Orthodox daughter and Zvi’s secular son–have found each other and fallen in love. Hannah and Zvi are forced to meet for the first time since their divorce to deal with the situation. Naturally, intense feelings are unleashed.
