B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany presents a screening of “A Tale of Love and Darkness,” a film by Natalie Portman based on the international bestseller by Israeli author Amos Oz of growing up in Jerusalem in the years before Israeli statehood. He had an academic father and a dreamy, imaginative mother.

The film will be shown Saturday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at B’nai Sholom at 420 Whitehall Road in Albany. Refreshments will be available. A contribution of $5 is suggested.

Academy Award-winning actress Portman directs and stars in the emotional and thought-provoking story about Fania, a young wife and mother in war-torn Jerusalem, during Israel’s early years. Stifled in her relationship and weary from the tedium of her new life, Fania creates fantastical stories for Amos, her 10-year-old son, amazing him with tales of adventure and beauty — stories that would influence the boy to become a writer himself. 

“A Tale of Love and Darkness” is “the most revolutionary Jewish movie since ‘Schindler's List,’” wrote Stephen Marche in Esquire. A. O. Scott in The New York Times called it “an elegant and intimate movie. Lovely and memorable.”

Released in 2015, “A Tale of Love and Darkness” is rated PG-13. The 98-minute film is in Hebrew with English subtitles. B’nai Sholom is presenting the film as part of a multipart commemoration of the life and brilliance of Amos Oz, one of Israel’s most prolific writers.
For more information, visit www.bnaisholomalbany.org or contact the B’nai Sholom office: 518-482-5283 or office@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us.