Adult children reunite in their Miami childhood home upon the passing of their mother. Old resentments come to the surface as friends and family descend on the house to sit Shiva. A 15-year gap within the siblings illuminates the complexity of the parent/child relationship, while friends, neighbors and extended family provide comfort and kugel. A lot of kugel.

SYNOPSIS:

The story begins with the funeral of Helen Wagner. Her adult daughters (and spouses) return to their Miami home where their brother had been caring for her after the death of their father roughly five years earlier. Over the next three days, while the house fills with relatives and friends bearing food, the siblings face their collective past. There is a 15 year gap between the oldest sibling (Fran, who is in her late 40s) and her brother and sister (Ben and Jessica who are only 18 months apart in their early 30s). It’s clear from the outset, that Fran’s childhood and perception of her parents varies greatly from that of her siblings.

Jessica, who is gay, is haunted by her dead father’s disapproval which she is unable to resolve despite her late mother’s love, support and acceptance. Her privileged childhood in suburban Miami comes into direct conflict with her partner Grace who was brought up in grittier surroundings. They arrive from Chicago to be confronted by a socially liberal Jewish culture that both embraces and rejects their “lifestyle choice.”

Ben and Jessica, fall easily into the camaraderie they shared as kids. This distresses Fran, who lives in suburban New York with her two daughters and husband who has been out of work for several months. She is anxious to sell the four bedroom house and all the history dwelling inside it. This doesn’t sit well with Ben, who intends to stay there with his fiancée Wendy.

Unspoken feelings and resentments rise to the surface during this claustrophobic and intensely emotional time. The entire story takes place in the house over the three day grieving period – “sitting Shiva” – that follows the funeral. Ultimately, the siblings make peace and come to the understanding that there can be more than one truth.