Ethan Bloom is many things: A fantastic, affecting coming-of-age film- and a sometimes absurdist, sometimes straight comedy and the story about how we struggle to navigate both the joy and tragedy of life. Thirteen-year-old Ethan is supposed to be preparing for his bar mitzvah - but despite his loving Jewish family, Ethan is convinced his spiritual calling is with the Catholic church, where he secretly finds solace under the guidance of Father Diaz
Through the wisdom of an unconventional rabbi, the support and love of his father Joshua Malina (The West Wing), and his first romance with a cowboy-boot-wearing girl who can put him in a headlock, Ethan has no choice but to confront his lies and the grief of the death of his mother to discover that faith isn’t about choosing sides—it’s about honoring all the messy, beautiful pieces of who we are.

Herschel Faber, director/95 minutes/2025 USA/ in English/ comedy

This film is complementary to senior members of the Gordon JCC. All other tickets should be ordered online.