Unspoken (2024)

[bunniefuu]

[bright music]

[no audio]

[footsteps]

[shoveling dirt]

[soft music]

Bye. Opa.

[men praying]

[women whispering]

[woman] You're missing minyan.

You okay?

Sure.

[men praying]

[footsteps]

Hi. Mrs. Helfgott

Thanks for coming.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

He loved you so much. Your Opa.

You were his favorite.

I know.

Noam! Someone get Noam, he'll

know.

Go, go.

Oh. Noam. What was the song Opa

used to sing when he was

cooking?

Not the Yiddish one. the English

folksy one.

Uh, the Broadway one?

Broadway? I thought it was like

Frank Sinatra or something.

[singing] there's a saying old

says that love is blind--

Yes. Yeah.

Oh. I knew you'd remember.

Yeah. That's uh a Broadway

ballad.

Of course it is.

What's that supposed to mean?

Nothing, you guys were just

obsessed.

Keep singing it.

I'm not performing at shiva.

Please? Opa used to love when

you'd sing it with him.

Just a bit. Please?

[singing] there's a somebody

i'm longing to see i hope that

he turns out to be

someone who'll watch over me

[soft piano music]

[music fades]

[clock ticking]

We should have moved up the

wedding.

Hey.

I'm sure everybody would agree

you're getting married soon

enough.

Speaking of Miriam is getting

pretty cute.

I think I'll save the wedding

talk for after college.

I'm graduating in less than a

year, thank you.

She probably needs someone less

sensitive than Noam anyway.

Rude.

Why are you like that?

Women love sensitive men.

You'll find someone soon Noam.

You have plenty of time.

You're one to talk.

And next week I'm going to be

Shabbos Abba even though

Yonatan is also going to be

Shabbos Abba.

There's gonna be two Shabbos

Abbas?

They're not gonna pick a girl

to be Shabbos Imma?

And there's going to be two

Shabbos Immas.

You gonna survive?

I've managed this far.

Well we're always down the

street if you need to pop out.

Are we going home?

Yup. Grab Ralphy and let's go.

Ralphy's coming home but Opa

isn't because he's not alive.

Oh. that's right. That's right.

[whispering] Okay. we'll come

see Uncle Noam a little bit

later.

[clock ticking]

I don't know how we would have

gotten up there.

Even before he was bedridden.

Opa barely reach five foot five.

Just slide them off and I'll

catch it.

sh**t.

Oh come on.

He said he'd catch them.

It's always my fault.

No will.

It's just like him

to make this impossible for us.

Well I doubt he intentionally

organized anything for us.

Ari.

You said it first.

Okay. I think I'm just going to

finish this myself.

Michelle, it was a joke.

He isn't your father.

Wasn't.

I'll uh...

I'll just go do some searching

in the basement.

You should have had a taller

son.

I should have married a taller

man.

What is it?

This used to be mine until you

came along

and stole the spotlight.

Probably not this one.

Isn't he in one of these?

Yeah.

One of the few he was able to

salvage

after the Holocaust.

Who's M?

This is a mistake.

These were meant for me.

What are they?

-Nothing important.

-Looked like an engagement ring.

It was probably Oma's.

But you have Oma's engagement

ring.

And her name doesn't start with

'M.'

Okay.

Right now our business

is looking for his will.

So maybe you should keep doing

that instead of looking through

his personal belongings.

[Boy leading prayers]

Looking at porn during davening.

That's a new one.

Not for you.

No. I was just reading a news

article.

About what? Oh sh*t.

Sorry. Rabbi.

We were just talking about

Noam's grandpa.

There'll be plenty of time after

tefilla.

Dude you never get caught for

anything.

Yeah 'cause I'm smart about it.

Wanna grab pizza after school?

He can't. We've got choir.

Oh. you and your stupid choir.

If women were allowed

to sing at our school

I wouldn't have to go to stupid

public school choir.

Yeah whatever.

Just let me know when

you guys run out of tampons.

Do you have tampons?

Shut up.

Are you feeling okay today?

Yeah. Yeah.

I just had to make sure my eyes

were done swelling before I came

back.

I get it.

It's why I never watch

a romance on Sundays.

One day buffer minimum.

'The Notebook' obviously. But

what else?

I'm sorry who are you kidding?

You cried five seconds

into 'The Fault in Our Stars.'

Watch it Mr. Stein.

I'm so over this place.

Last week Mrs. Fleischman

told me my shirt was too tight.

Every piece of my skin is

covered and she somehow still

finds a way to stare

at my boobs. What a l*sbian.

Come on we're going to be late.

Jesus dude, would you just date

her already?

It's not like that.

Oh yeah?

Tell that to your b*ner.

-Grow up.

-Grow a pair.

You're such an idiot.

Pranked.

Noam. Can I see you?

Yes.

How are you feeling Noam?

Good.

How's your family?

Oh they're good.

Yeah.

He was sick for a while.

so it was expected.

I know your grandfather was a

Survivor. so I just wanted to

give you a heads up

that we are starting a section

on the Holocaust next week.

I completely understand

if you want to sit this one out.

Oh. I don't know.

Feel free to take some time.

The classes already split into

pairs for presentations while

you were out.

and Jonah still needs a partner

But he said he doesn't mind

presenting on his own.

"Keeping the Memory of the

Holocaust Alive."

Sounds like a depressing TED

Talk.

Sorry you can punch me

if I make too many bad jokes.

Is that why you and Zach keep

punching each other in the

ba*ls?

That's very one sided. I

promise.

[sighs]

So have you chosen a topic yet?

I have a few in mind.

I'm just struggling to find an

angle

we haven't learned about.

At least it's not like another

presentation on the founding

of the State of Israel.

Right.

Sorry that was a bad joke.

You can...

No, it's true.

I mean after 11 years

learning the same topic.

Seriously.

Meanwhile we only spent

one year on American history.

Ten bucks says you can't tell me

what happened in the w*r of

Treaty of Ghent.

White House was burned down. The

US declared w*r on Britain.

Never mind then.

I got a five on the AP.

Smart and humble.

Maybe I should have taken the

free period instead of

working with you.

No, literally no.

Miriam, do you think Chris Pratt

is hot?

Yeah.

-Why?

-Why?

Because he looks like a potato.

We're playing "f*ck. Marry.

k*ll."

between Chris Pratt,

Chris Evans, and Chris

Hemsworth.

You go.

Wait. Can Orthodox people play

"f*ck. Marry. k*ll"?

Yeah, but we have to sacrifice a

lamb afterwards

in repentance.

What? I was just asking a

question.

We're not aliens, Kyle.

You're being so offensive.

Hey. I'm allowed to be

offensive.

Don't you guys like stone g*y

people?

No we don't stone g*y people.

Well what would happen if me and

my boyfriend were Orthodox?

I don't know. You wouldn't be.

Yeah, that's for sure.

[high school students singing]

[singing] mother rushed up to

the sidewalk

Excellent work. Altos,

you all are blending so

much better than last week.

I can tell you've been

practicing.

All right let's end

with the little improv.

Any volunteers for our closing

song?

Please.

I have such a good one.

Serenade us Kyle.

[singing] he rocks in the tree

tops

all day long. hoppin' and

a-boppin' and singing his song

all the little birds on

jaybird street

love to hear the robin go

tweet tweet tweet

rockin' robin

rockin' robin

blow rockin' robin

'cause we really gonna rock

tonight

every little swallow

every chick-a-dee

every little bird in the tall

oak tree

the wise old owl

the big black crow

Uncle Noam.

What are those?

Hi Lev.

What are you doing?

Where's your Imma?

She's getting makeup done with

Savta.

Oh no, no, no, no.

Mom, the whole point is

that they're doing our makeup.

I don't want to show up like a

schlump. Is that so bad?

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,

no.

You cannot just leave him with

me unannounced.

Please Noam? It'll just be an

hour.

-I'll be right back.

-Then hire a babysitter.

Don't be a kvetch.

This was a last minute decision.

What if I want to come?

Good one.

What? I still need a haircut.

-Tali let's go!

-Calm down!

This will be a quick hour.

We'll be right back.

Uncle Noam. What is this?

Lev, put that down.

Oh...

I wasn't touching it.

I wasn't touching it.

Don't worry Lev.

It's fine.

Hey. Do you want to see pictures

of Opa when he was my age?

Look.

[soft music]

Oh. Can I come in?

Uh, yeah.

I was just having some computer

glitches.

What's up?

You okay?

You were being weird at dinner.

Yeah.

I just have a lot on my mind.

I'm sure being forced to babysit

wasn't helpful.

Not at all.

Her husband's a lawyer.

I think she can afford a

babysitter.

Don't worry.

I promise not to do that with my

kids.

Whoa there one step at a time.

Listen.

I wanted to ask you something.

Yes. I will definitely be

your maid of honor.

You would rock that lilac dress.

No, here's the deal.

Deena and Rachel are staying

with us over the wedding

weekend,

and Mom wants to put

them up in Opa's room.

-Oh.

-But I wanted to make sure

you were okay with it first.

I mean we do have to clean it

out eventually.

Right.

What is it?

Did Opa ever talk to you about

his life

before coming to America?

No. Why?

He just never did with me

either.

Yo.

What are you doing?

Uh, just looking for something

that I lost yesterday.

What is it?

It's nothing.

I found it, actually.

Okay whatever.

Listen, dude, I got major news.

Miriam is totally into you.

What do you mean?

I mean Miriam asked me to ask

you

if you like her.

So do you?

It's kind of middle school to

play

"Telephone."

I thought so too man.

She should just have the ba*ls

to ask you out herself.

And the population of Survivors

is growing ever smaller.

In two decades there may no

longer be any

firsthand accounts of the n*zi

genocide.

So how do we continue our

responsibility to the 6 million

that were m*rder*d?

Yes, Noam.

Is it 12 million?

I'm sorry?

Didn't the Nazis m*rder*d

12 million people?

Yes. Well, 6 million Jews.

12 million people in total.

Why don't we ever actually talk

about them?

In our entire school history

we have never once talked about

Roma or g*y people in the

Holocaust.

I just did. That's who the other

6 million people were.

Gypsies, g*y people,

handicapped...

-We don't actually talk about it

though.

-Dude.

Be a little more respectful.

There's people in this class

whose grandparents were

Survivors.

I'm not trying to be

disrespectful. She's just

literally avoiding my question.

"She" is your teacher and would

like some respect in this

classroom.

I wouldn't mind learning about

that either.

All right.

Both of you can wait outside

for the rest of the period.

What? Why?

Out of my classroom. Now.

Hey. I'm sorry about that.

I was really just trying to

help.

It's okay.

Sorry if I was being offensive.

No, you weren't.

I was uh

I was thinking the exact same

thing.

Hey, how much do you know about

um...

Uh, just like, what you were

talking about earlier.

Nothing really.

I mean, that's why I think it's

weird

we haven't talked about it

once in 12 years here.

Why?

I found this,

in my grandpa's stuff.

It's in German.

Sorry.

It's a love letter.

It says "Heinrich.

I will always love you. From M."

Okay.

Um, I found this too.

I found it in a box.

It was the love letter,

and engagement ring,

and this photo of Opa and

-M Bueringer.

-Opa?

Uh, my grandpa.

Hmm.

So who's this M Bueringer?

I don't know.

I think my mom knows,

but she just won't talk about

it.

Come with me.

I have an idea.

What?

There's a whole database of

names for victims of the

Holocaust.

Yeah on the Yad Vashem website--

Yeah. I'm pretty sure you can

filter them through location and

year of birth.

You can. I already--

So how do you spell the last

name?

Uh, B-U-E-R-I-N-G-E-R.

And where'd your grandfather

live?

I'm not sure exactly.

He never really talked about it.

Somewhere in Germany.

Germany.

Okay.

Okay. there's some female names

here.

But if we filter out the men.

we still have one, two...

Nine.

Right.

-You've already done this.

-Yeah.

But you're a much better typer.

You joke

but I'm actually an excellent

researcher.

Did you get a five on the AP?

Did you try searching the photo

archives?

No, actually.

Good idea.

Okay.

Wait. Scroll back up a bit.

There.

I think that's him.

Okay. okay.

From left to right. it reads

Baruch Bueringer. Ella Schwartz

Bueringer.

Meyer Bueringer.

Noam.

Look who submitted the image.

Heinrich Stein.

Opa.

I think we found M.

Uh. real quick

Search up Meyer Bueringer

in the name database.

-Not listed.

-Damn.

All right I can't be late for

English, but uh

here, take my number.

Text me so we can

figure out what to do next.

What do you mean?

We have to find him, don't we?

See you later.

Very good Jacob.

Okay who would like to continue?

Eitan, go ahead.

[speaking Aramaic]

Excellent.

So what does Shmuel say?

A woman's voice is

naked?

Yes. it is her "ervah."

It is like her nakedness.

What does this mean?

Like we said earlier, an exposed

"tefach"

on a woman her wrist or even

her voice

it is like she has been exposed

in nakedness.

Noam!

Care to share anything with us?

Yeah.

How does "Kol Isha" come to

prevent women in everyday

singing

when the text just seems to

prevent it in the context of

learning Torah?

Eitan.

Why don't you continue in the

source book and try to answer.

Yo, yo, yo,

Netflix and chill tonight?

-What?

-My house. Movie night.

You wanna come?

You gotta stop saying that.

All right. well I got Eitan and

some of the other guys coming

too.

-So you down?

-Yeah, sure.

I got practice 'til about 6:30

tonight

So just come after dinner.

Hah! See you around.

[kids chattering]

Hey.

You didn't answer any of my

calls.

My mom gave me a ride.

It was all good.

Are you okay?

Just dandy.

[singing] i can't see

stars out clouds are

bum bum bum bum

covering my view

i can see jupiter following

me

- bum bum

- as i follow you

-bum bum bum bum

-will you come to stay

-bum bum bum

-or will you

disappear in the night sky

-bum bum bum

-follow me

Alright.

Let's take five before notes.

Hey.

Do you have something to say to

me?

What?

Maybe there's something on my

face?

I see the way you and h*m*

point at me.

I was just, um...

gonna ask you a question.

Okay?

It's nothing.

Never mind.

It's just...

You're the only person I know

who's, um--

g*y?

Yeah. Yeah, so um...

I don't know.

I just thought that maybe you

would know where I could look up

like historical

stuff. I don't-- I don't know...

Jesus, you day-school kids.

That was uncomfortable.

What are you doing?

I don't know.

He thought I was like,

insulting him or something.

No, why are you sitting here?

I always sit next to you.

Stop playing stupid Noam.

I'm not playing stupid.

What-- why are you being so

weird?

I'm acting weird because I asked

you out and you said no.

That never happened.

What is this, a test?

Do you actually want me to ask

you out in person?

What-- uh... [phone ringing]

Uh, sorry.

-Hello?

- Hey, what are you up to?

Can I come over now?

-Jonah?

- Yeah. Yeah.

I just need to show you

something on the computer. Are

you free?

Yeah. sure.

Great. Text me your address.

[phone buzzes]

[doorbell rings]

I've got exciting news.

Where's your room?

Uh, yeah.

It's up--

Wow.

This is not how I pictured your

room.

How did you picture it?

It's so clean.

-Do you live in a hotel?

-Yes.

Welcome to the Chateau Noam

Stein.

What?

Nothing.

Bad joke.

You told me to do that.

I did.

Okay, one second.

The International Tracing

Service.

I really think this could help

us find more information about

Meyer.

The services is exactly how it

sounds.

It's an international tracing

service.

German website you can request

information about family members

and survivors.

Here. Wait...

Here. Search... You have to put

in your own information first.

It's asking if this is for

personal reasons or on behalf of

a family member.

I guess put both, right?

[music playing]

for i'm falling in love--

-Why'd you do that?

-It's nothing.

I'm just not in the music mood.

[music continues]

love with someone

Interesting.

Once you get used to the

quality it's actually a really

good song.

-I didn't say anything--

-Like it was really popular, um

when it came out.

It's good.

[music]

i'm falling in love with

someone

-head a whirl

-relationship to person

being inquired about?

He did have a ring from him.

Do you think it's possible that

they could have gotten married

in Germany?

I don't know.

I do know that the g*y community

was very vibrant during the

Weimar Republic.

Right before Hitler took over.

I guess put "friend of

grandfather?"

Uh, we don't have any of this

information.

Well we have his name,

gender, nationality, presumably.

Date of birth... marital

status...

parents' names...

We just have to hope his name's

enough.

I think.

Look you can attach a photo.

Oh, scoot over a bit.

[music] i'm sure i could

love someone madly

if someone would only love me

Sent.

That's it.

That's it?

What now?

We wait.

How do you know all that stuff

about the Weimer Republic?

I like history.

[Michelle] Noam! We're home.

Uh, you should probably go.

Oh, okay.

It's just um...

It-- It's my sister's wedding

weekend and so we have to get

the house ready.

Mazel tov.

Thank you so much for helping

with this.

Sure.

Oh. What do we have here?

Uh, Jonah was just

helping me research stuff for

school.

Just an average night

researching Holocaust survivors.

For Mrs. Fleischman's class.

I see.

Will Jonah be staying for

dinner?

No actually, he was just

heading out.

I will see you tomorrow.

Yeah.

["Someone To Watch Over Me"

playing on record]

You know what I missed most?

Hearing you two practice piano

together every evening.

It seems so quiet now.

Every day except Tuesday.

So he could watch "The Voice."

You two really are so similar.

He was quite the singer back in

his day.

You know I got coffee with

Miriam's mother today.

Hmm. Sounds thrilling.

We were talking about how cute

you two were at the last choir

concert.

-Don't.

-What?

I just think you're such good

friends.

-Why not go out with her?

-Mom. She didn't actually ask me

out.

-Okay?

-Well. you could ask her.

Did Opa bring this from Germany?

So this conversation's over?

-Mom do you want help cleaning?

-What?

Fine, fine.

Yes... he got it at the music

conservatory.

Another piece of his life left

behind.

Can I help you find something?

No, thanks.

Actually, I could use your help.

-Of course. What title are you

looking for?

-Um...

It's not so much of a title.

but more of a topic.

Anything about the Holocaust.

Okay.

More specifically.

Um, about the Holocaust

and g*y people.

Looks like we just have one

title that matches that.

Here.

I do have a few others here that

have chapters on h*m*.

but aren't particularly about

LGBT persecution.

This is plenty. Thank you.

-You do need to check those out.

-Right.

Of course. Thank you.

Oh.

Look who it is.

It's okay Day School.

I'm not going to spread my big

g*y cooties.

sh*t.

This does not look like fun.

Guess you found all the g*y

history.

It's for school.

But don't tell anyone.

Right.

I'll be sure to tell all

my mutual friends.

[alarm sounds]

What the hell?

-What's up?

-Movie night?

I called you like a million

times yesterday.

Yeah sorry, I just uh,

I had a weird night.

What happened?

-Miriam stuff.

-Now that's a straight up lie.

No I swear, she's like

not talking to me.

-Okay?

-Yeah obviously.

Because you just dumped her

for the second time.

I just-- I... We're really good

friends. okay?

-And I don't want to ruin that.

-Dude.

That is the gayest thing I've

ever heard.

You don't want to date her

because it's going to ruin your

friendship?

Okay seriously I'm telling you

this is your friend.

Just do it. Don't even think

about it all right?

Hey. Miriam! Miriam!

Go, go go, Go!

Hey. Can I talk to you?

I'm very sorry about last night.

Okay.

Uh...

I didn't want to offend you.

-You know. it's just we're

really good friends...

-And you want to keep it

that way.

-Got it.

-No I...

I want to go out with you.

So will you go out with me?

So, what? You had to be the one

to say it?

No uh, I was just caught off

guard.

We talk every day so I just

wasn't sure why you weren't

saying it to me.

You're serious?

Yeah.

So you do want to go out with

me?

Yeah.

I really want to say no

just to piss you off.

It would give the school some

good drama.

Okay.

-Okay?

-Yeah.

The wedding weekend will be much

less awkward now.

That's the real reason I asked.

Noam!

Thank God.

I'll see you later.

-I have huge news.

-Me too.

Actually. I found the perfect

book at the library.

Just listen. Okay.

I was looking up different

Holocaust stories before

-going to bed last night.

-As one does...

And I found this story that's

very similar to yours, minus the

g*y part.

Uh should we talk about this--

Just listen. This woman was

trying to find any information

about her father's sister.

But nothing was listed online.

so she assumed that her aunt had

died before the camps.

But then she realized

nobody had uploaded anything

because the woman was still

alive.

Do you get it?

This could be why we're not

finding any information about

him online.

Uh what do you mean?

M is still alive.

[student leading prayers]

You can thank me later.

What?

For how stupidly happy look.

I knew you liked her man.

Ow ow! Aw yeah.

All right.

Everyone is staying in the

classroom today.

You can thank Zach and Eitan for

sneaking into the gym and

ruining your privileges.

I'll be over here if you need

me.

Okay. What was that book

you were mentioning earlier?

-Book?

-From the library.

-Was it about n*zi

persecution of--

-Right, right, right.

Yeah yeah.

Let me. I'll find it.

Here it is.

"w*r and Genocide;"

"A Concise History of the

Holocaust."

What topic you guys end up

picking?

Oh. we're just like

doing something positive.

A positive project on the

Holocaust.

Yeah.

Uh you know, reuniting with

Survivors after the w*r like

friends and family.

Oh wow.

That's really cool.

What's so special about this?

There are only like four

mentions of h*m*--

Ow! Uh ow God. Sorry um...

Can we-- can we just take a

little break?

Yeah, yeah sure.

-Is everything okay?

-Yeah.

Yeah yeah. it's just my...

My head is really k*lling me.

Do you want me to get you some

ice or a Tylenol or something?

Yeah that'd be great.

Thanks.

What's going on?

Um just uh...

I'm-- I'm feeling a little

faint, you know.

I think it just hit me

that we're talking about my

grandfather.

Right, right.

Of course.

Umm...

I did find this book, actually.

But I think I just need like

a little time before we...

Whatever you need.

Maybe we could look at it

over the weekend?

Wanna like hang out on Shabbos?

Hang out?

Never mind.

We don't have to.

No, no, I'd like to.

My house tomorrow?

I can't.

What's your excuse this time?

No it's not like that.

I just have to catch up on

studying.

You already told me that all the

girls

were coming to your house

for the Shabbos kallah.

Yeah well, Miriam is going to be

there too.

Oh okay.

Miriam's also catching up on

"studying."

All right well, if you want to

kiss and tell. I'm having all

the guys

over to play basketball later,

so...

I'll just see you at shul.

Right, right.

-You gotta atone for your sins

first.

-Zach.

-Enough.

-Dude.

-Dude. what's wrong with you?

-Me?

You're the one who's being a

d*ck.

[music playing on radio]

in the moment that we met

i didn't know you were taken

Hello. welcome!

but when we shared a

cigarette

i wanted to make something

happen

ooh ooh

[girls screaming]

[music volume increases]

about your life and your

scene

It's only for three nights.

[Tali's friends making noise]

Good luck with Tali's friends.

Yeah. I'll try.

-Mom.

-You two are just so cute.

I'll see you later.

You're coming to shul?

Your mom invited me to walk with

you guys.

[Tali's friends offscreen]

How random.

Wait. you didn't hear?

Yeah. Yehuda Saltzberg is g*y.

Crazy right?

Sarit told me her sister heard

from Yehuda's brother.

Apparently his parents kicked

him out and now he's staying

with Aaron Berger.

Oh my God. Is Aaron also g*y?

It would make sense. He hasn't

had a girlfriend since

like high school.

Doesn't the university have

couple's housing?

Okay wow.

-[Tali] Is Yehuda okay?

Noam! Knock first.

-We could have been changing.

-You should lock the door.

Everything okay?

Just keep it down.

I can hear you

from like three houses over.

Sure thing.

Sorry Noam.

What are you doing?

Just looking for your father's

new Shabbos pants.

-Can you not?

-What's wrong?

I just need privacy. Okay?

If you need something for my

room, just ask me and I'll give

it to you.

Okay. I'm sorry.

They're light gray with stripes.

[Muttering a prayer in Hebrew]

-Good Shabbos.

-Good Shabbos.

[Congregation praying]

I'll see you in a bit.

[people whispering]

Good Shabbos.

Hey.

[whispering] But yeah dude,

like, I'm thinking about a

couple

of schools on the East coast.

[Women chatting and laughing]

Okay well, I feel like I've

known Tali the longest.

Sure honey.

Wow.

Okay excluding the womb.

-And siblings.

-And anyone from her childhood.

Okay fine. I was exaggerating.

[Knock on the door]

I've only known Tali

since our first day of classes

in New York.

but I feel like I've literally

known her for forever.

I knew we were going to be

friends as soon as you let me

borrow your notes.

And it wasn't cheating.

It was like we were chill about

it. The professor was totally

like whatever.

Are you sure we can even

be in the house?

It's my house.

Of course we can be here.

Next time you can just come to

my place if you want.

Next time my sister gets married

or next time we hang out?

Is your room always this clean

or just when you have company?

I only clean it for guests

with a high enough AP score.

You don't care if people see

your mess?

I'm not the biggest people

person.

Present company excluded.

This is the first book ever

published in English about g*y

persecution

in the Holocaust.

Not until 1986.

It's crazy.

Mm not that crazy.

How many similar books

have been published since?

Here look at this.

h*m* wasn't

decriminalized in Germany until

over 20 years after

World w*r Two.

There were g*y men that were

liberated from concentration

camps

and then put straight back into

jail to continue the rest of

their sentences.

God. Sorry.

You need a break?

No, no.

It's just hard to read the

sections about their t*rture.

It's okay. I'll just...

read out loud if I find

anything.

Sorry, do you have a shirt or

something I can borrow? It's

just these.

these collars always make me

itchy.

Yeah. sure.

Thank you.

Wow. That is next level.

Very few opportunities

for me to show this one off.

Thank you.

So uh, what was your Opa like?

-Uh... [laughs]

-What. am I not allowed

to say Opa?

Umm...

He was the nicest person I ever

knew.

So you two weren't that similar

then?

Rude.

People always used to tell us

that

I was like a mini replica of

him.

Uh. I think that's why

we got along so well.

How is it that nobody knew

about your grandpa?

Do you think your grandma knew

about him?

Then why would she marry him?

To save his life.

Are you okay?

Hasn't settled in yet?

Yeah.

Thank you, for doing this.

Of course.

Thank you.

For what?

I don't know.

Giving me something to do

on Shabbos.

[door opens]

What is this?

To Noam Stein from the

International Tracing Service?

-It arrived!

-Oh, you're a part of this?

It's not a big deal.

-Okay we can just throw it out.

-Mom, what are you doing?

Everyone can hear you.

Noam Stein. I told you

not to go looking into this.

I'm sorry.

You don't get to be sorry.

These were Opa's.

-They don't belong to you.

-Opa gave me that box.

What is going on? Everything

okay?

Nothing. Everybody please just

leave.

Why can't you let this go Noam?

Why is this so important

for you to keep a secret?

Some things are better kept

secret.

Mom!

No...

Stop it Noam.

It's my daughter's wedding day

tomorrow.

Can you let me be happy?

This was it.

This was the answer.

The answer to what?

It's nothing.

You don't have to talk about it

if you don't want to.

-Do you want me to go?

-No.

Should I go?

No, of course not.

We'll keep looking then.

What about the box?

Maybe there's something else in

there.

More information about M.

Nothing.

I've looked over and over

and over again.

Oh I love The Hardy Boys.

Of course you do.

Me too.

Noam and I started a book club

in fourth grade and read through

the entire collection.

And then the entire collection

of Nancy Drew.

I think we have this one at my

house.

The two of them at his Bar

Mitzvah?

Oh my God.

I'm so dumb.

What? What is it?

I should have thought of this

sooner.

Is she at your house?

Unless she's out partying at the

club.

Oh my God.

This is perfect.

-We will fill you in when we get

back.

-Oh... Oh.

Hello?

Miriam's Bubbie was my Opa's

friend since childhood.

She knew him her whole life.

-Holy sh*t.

She might know M!

-Yeah.

Hurry up!

Hey Noam slow down.

If you haven't noticed

I'm not the sporting type.

What the hell?

I thought you were doing work.

I am. We are.

For what?

-It's a personal thing.

-For Mrs. Fleischman's class.

You want a couple of seconds

to come up with a better lie?

I'm not lying.

I swear.

We're doing research about my

grandpa.

Why are you keeping that a

secret from me?

I'm not keeping it a secret. I

just, uh...

It's personal.

But you still told Jonah.

Okay. I...

I found evidence in a box

that Opa gave me that

he may have been with a man

before he left Germany.

So what?

What are you two g*y?

What?

Whatever.

Enjoy each other's company.

I know your Opa my whole life.

He was like an older brother to

me.

That's why we thought of coming

to you.

You knew him better than anyone

else.

Knowing someone for a long time

does not mean knowing them

better.

So, what is the question?

I was wondering if you knew

any of Opa's friends

before he left Germany?

Oh you mean before the Nazis?

Heinrich was always Heinrich.

Very smart.

Many friends.

Oh and beautiful, beautiful

singer.

Like this one.

So he didn't change when you

moved out here?

What you mean?

Of course he changed.

Hitler took everything from us.

[speaking Hebrew] Yimakh Shemo.

There's a lot about Opa's early

life

that he never told us.

And you want I should tell you.

Why, why you don't eat

something?

Oh have something.

Please.

I left Germany

many, many years before Opa.

And when I was 16.

we met again here finally.

So I don't know much what

happened to him.

He never spoke about it.

We never talk about any of this.

Don't worry.

Now I'm okay to talk about it.

So what about before the w*r?

You would have known Opa's uh,

friends

wouldn't you?

Like Meyer Bueringer?

You know Meyer.

Do you know him?

No, not really.

I don't know him.

What do you mean?

He-- Okay.

He called me last year.

-You spoke with him?

-Yes.

And he said he was good friend

from Heinrich

and he wanted to know about his

life.

Because Heinrich refuses

to speak with him.

Opa wouldn't talk to him?

Why not?

I don't know.

What else did he say?

Did he-- did he say anything

about their relationship?

-Or anything about how they met?

-I am not the person to talk

about this.

I don't know. You should talk to

Meyer.

You have his number?

-No. but I have his address.

He lives two hours away.

-Really?

Yes, really.

Two hours away.

It's my sister's wedding

tomorrow.

The presentation's due Monday.

Just stay at my place tonight.

Your family won't even know.

[People chattering]

[knock]

Hey... is it okay if I come in?

-You're still here.

-With all the people around

I thought maybe I could

sneak into your room.

Right.

Your room looks like a hotel.

So I've heard.

What are you packing for?

Nothing.

Just uh...

I'm staying at Zach's tonight.

Oh.

It's just I'm trying to get out

of the house, you know?

It's pretty crazy.

I was thinking

maybe we could hang out tonight.

Uh. maybe we can hang out next

week?

You know, the wedding will be

over.

We can make plans to do

something nice like go to

dinner.

or go on a date or something?

Are you sure you want to do

this?

-Go to Zach's?

-No.

-Us.

-Yeah. of course.

What are you even saying?

I just...

I want to make sure you know I'm

not forcing you to date me.

Don't be ridiculous.

It's just been a really crazy

week.

I get it.

At least you weren't stuck here

all day.

I am definitely not doing a

Shabbos

Kallah before my wedding.

Not that I was talking about us.

No you're fine.

-Okay. I'll let you...

-Yeah. I should uh...

I'll see you down there.

Okay.

Uh, uh, uh, Where are you going?

Shabbos is over.

No no no no. Go gather your

sisters and everyone we're doing

havdallah together.

I'm kind of in a rush. Can I do

Havdallah on my own?

What are you in a rush for? We

have the whole family together.

It'll be nice.

Hold it above your head. Rachel.

Yeah, you need a husband at

least six feet tall.

Okay. Everybody ready?

[Begins the Hebrew prayer]

la la la la la la la

la la la la la la la

la la la la la la la

la la la la la la

[Noam concludes the singing

version of the prayer.]

Amen!

-Shavua Tov everyone!

la la la la la la la la

la la la la la la la la

la la la la la la la la

la la la la la la la la

What took so long?

College girls.

Here, I got you something.

What is this ancient witchcraft?

It's a playlist. I thought it

would be

appropriate for the situation.

You didn't download it onto

Spotify like a normal person?

When was the last time somebody

gave you a Spotify playlist?

Here we go.

[Music plays on the stereo.

Noam sings along.]

[music plays]

tea for two and two for tea

just me for you and you

for me alone

nobody near us to see us or

hear us

-you would know all of the

words...

-Everybody!

-No. I'm not going to sing with

you.

we won't have it known dear

that we own a telephone dear

can't you see how happy we

would be

That was amazing.

You nervous?

Very.

Yeah me too, actually.

[pulling on locked door]

No, no, no.

Come on.

What should we do?

Oh look Noam, there's somebody

over there.

Just hang tight. Can I help you?

Yes, we're looking for someone.

Are they expecting you?

Our general visiting hours

are over at 9 p.m...

No, but we

really need to speak with him.

Do you know Meyer Bueringer?

-Do you?

-Yes. Yeah. we're very close

with him.

I think you should leave.

Wait, this is not weird. I

promise.

-We've never actually met.

-If you want to come back

tomorrow

and sign in.

we'll pass along your names.

You look just like him.

A tragic story he is,

your grandfather.

Please. I'd like to know

everything I can.

One moment please.

It's hard for me to hear you.

Better?

Thank you.

So, me und Heinrich.

I met Heinrich

at Stern'sches Konservatorium

In 1934.

We were both studying opera.

But he was much better than me.

He was still performing here?

-Only for fun.

When he could.

We lost much in Germany.

Not just the ones we loved.

Heinrich was very fortunate to

get out early.

Were you able to escape as well?

I am here now.

That is what matters.

Meyer?

Yes?

Were you ever with another man

after my grandfather?

I do not understand.

Well my grandfather married a

woman.

And for all I know, he was

probably never with another man

again.

With a man?

Heinrich is no faygele.

-What?

-God forbid.

You and Heinrich weren't

together?

What is this meshugas ?

But what about this letter?

You gave this to him.

It says "Heinrich. I have never

stopped loving you. From M."

This is why

he doesn't speak with us.

What do you mean?

M is for Maya Ludwig.

Who is she?

Heinrich and Maya were together

before the w*r.

They were to be married.

But when your grandmother come

along,

she fall in love with Heinrich

and offer to fly to America

if he agree to marry her.

You see her father was

very wealthy and

can afford to set up for them

a life.

Where

Heinrich had no wealth.

Otherwise

he's stuck in n*zi Germany.

So he leave Maya.

She died. In Auschwitz.

And I think Heinrich never

forgave himself.

So M is for Maya.

This whole time.

What about this photograph

of the two of you?

This is our first day at

university.

We were very close

before

he never spoke with us again.

What about the picture on the

Yad Vashem site that Opa found?

-What about this ring?

-Noam, it's okay.

We did it.

We were trying to find M

and we found her.

No... that can't be.

Noam?

Noam, what is it?

It was-- it was...

It was such an extreme

situation, you know?

There's really no way for us to

judge.

I'm so sorry.

No, uh, um, I'm-- I'm sorry.

I, uh

I'm not...

I mean...

No. it can't be.

[soft music plays]

[engine idles]

-I'm sorry--

-Stop. Please.

-I didn't realize--

-Just don't tell anybody about

this, okay?

Yeah.

I'll finish writing something

for Monday.

[Jonah sighs]

-[Wedding music]

-[people clapping]

[people singing in Hebrew]

[inaudible]

[inaudible]

[music and clapping fade to

nothing]

[gentle guitar music plays]

[Noam sings Hebrew prayer

"Im Eshkachech"]

[no audio, only Noam's singing]

Why aren't you dancing?

It's your sister's wedding.

It only happens once.

I just don't feel like it.

I know it seemed like a

strong reaction yesterday.

But I'm just trying to protect

Opa.

He was so careful

about keeping his past a secret.

I don't think he meant to share

that box with you.

Sometimes it's better

to just not know.

You know, this may be you

sometime soon.

[somber music plays]

[inaudible dialog]

Can I give you a bracha ?

What are you doing?

You should be dancing.

You don't need to fake anything

for me.

Please.

I promise...

someday you'll find exactly

who you need to find.

Whoever they may be.

But first we dance.

[Student leads prayers]

Hey.

I'm sorry about this weekend.

Whatever.

It's all good, man.

Sorry for being a d*ck.

All good.

Hah. Every time.

I don't know what she's so upset

about.

You guys dated for like,

less than a weekend.

Uh, Mrs. Fleischman. Hi.

-Can I talk to you for a second?

-What is it?

Do you mind if I sit out today?

Is everything okay?

Umm... uh

I just had a difficult weekend.

I found out a lot of things

about my grandfather.

As long as Jonah is okay

presenting by himself, then I

don't mind.

But for now, just hang out in

the student lounge,

okay?

Noam's not feeling well.

Are you okay doing the

presentation on your own?

-Yeah.

-Great, uh go ahead and get

started.

As you can see,

today I'll be doing my

presentation about g*y

persecution in the Holocaust.

I chose this topic because of

the way that we ignore

the h*m* that exists in

our history and because of the

way

that it still remains a problem

for g*y people in our community

today.

It was pretty difficult to find

information on the subject

as much of the history has been

ignored or in some cases even

redacted from

published materials.

Watch it Day School.

What? You can't find your

girlfriend?

You okay?

Um...

I'm g*y.

-Oh.

-I don't plan on telling

anybody for a while.

I have another month left of

school and I'm just--

I'm going to wait it out until

then, so...

Yeah. Yeah.

No, of course I won't tell

anyone else.

Look, if you need someone to

talk to or like a friend,

don't hesitate.

I can take you to all the g*y

libraries,

with all the g*y history.

No, but seriously.

If you need someone to talk to

I'm here.

[Choir singing]

promise and hope was born

mother rushed up to the

sidewalk

ooh ooh

Much, much better.

Really. It improves every time.

All right.

Anyone feel any problems?

Great.

Closing song.

Who wants to volunteer?

Noam. Glad to see you stepping

up.

What have you got for us?

Uh, it's an old one.

Go for it.

there's a saying old says that

love is blind

still we're often told

seek and ye shall find

ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

so i'm going to seek a certain

lad i've had

in mind

there's a somebody i'm longing

to see

i hope that he turns out to

be

someone who'll watch

over me

[soft piano music plays]