A Touch Away

A Touch Away on DVD: This Israeli TV miniseries directed by Zafrir Kochanovsky has recently made its U.S. debut at the 2008 Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival. Set in the neighborhood of Bnei Barak in Tel Aviv, an ultra Orthodox family deeply ingrained in the most ancient traditions of Judaism has their world shaken when a secular Jewish family from Russia moves into the apartment next door. Already a tenuous coexistence, sparks being to fly when secular Zorik falls in love with the neighbor’s beautiful daughter, Rochale. (Keep in mind, Rochale has also been promised to another man.) As the drama unfolds, it stays lively and amusing while giving the viewer a deeper understanding of the intense cultural conflict that exists between Jews in modern-day Israel. The relationships that develop between all of the characters set the stage for a series of events that will keep the audience on the edges of their seats. A Touch Away is available on DVD from Ruth Diskin Films (ruthfilms.com). An English language version is currently being made for HBO.