Largely based on the Jewish family history of director Barry Levinson, Avalon follows the immigrant Krichinsky clan as they settle in Baltimore during the early 20th century. While Sam Krichinsky (Armin Mueller-Stahl) establishes roots in the city and finds a wife (Joan Plowright), his ambitious son, Jules (Aidan Quinn), who changes his last name to Kaye, tries to live the American Dream by opening an appliance store. The movie is an extended, touching meditation on cultural and generational gaps.

Our conversation about Avalon will take place on Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. We’ll think aloud about where this work fits in the canon of Jewish film-making and whether it will stand the test of time. The film can be seen on Amazon Prime for a modest fee on your home screen. Please let us know if you have any difficulty locating the program.

Blatt + Blue is the longest-running project at the Synagogue dating from the height of the pandemic. Now in its fifth year, the series expresses the Synagogue’s commitments to an inclusive and pluralistic vision. Difficult films deserve thoughtful conversation. Film and television enthusiasts David Blatt and Alice Blue begin each session with a summary of the featured material, which means that you’ll be able to follow the conversation even if you have to delay your viewing of the material itself. After that, it’s questions and comments from the Zoom Room audience.

Join the moderated discussion in the Synagogue Zoom Room. The Zoom meeting ID is 918 583 7121, and the session will conclude at 8:00 p.m. If there is a film or broadcast you would like to screen, please call Richie Bolusky, Synagogue Program Director, at (918) 583-7121 with your suggestions.