In Judaism, shiva is the week after the funeral of a family member during which the closest survivors mourn and come to terms with the departure of a loved one. But how are aging parents to accept the death of their only son? The mother just about manages to handle it; she’s a teacher used to organizing the running of the school while maintaining distance and perspective – quite helpful in the current situation. Meanwhile, her husband is going through what looks like a nervous breakdown. He behaves confrontationally or unpredictably at every turn, and no one is able to communicate with him, his wife included. But then the wacky and empathetic son of a neighbor seems to inadvertently hit upon the right therapy, bringing the man back to a life that has to go on in order to deal with myriad details. The narrative comprises minor plot moments that lack a point and work by suggestion. Soberly, with no appeal to the emotions but with a sense of humor – these are the ways to mediate the complex and painful feelings of those who must overcome one of fate’s most tragic blows.