Sh’Chur

Pnina is Cheli's older sister, developmentally disabled and a potent medium. The family relies on her sh’chur rituals to address problems, revealing a blend of care and superstition in their coping strategies. Her presence anchors the story's tension between control and vulnerability; the storms of family life culminate in her institutionalization after a traffic incident.

Rachel, who becomes Cheli, is a successful Israeli TV personality who must navigate the pull between career and family history. Her past in the 1970s reveals the beginnings of a life shaped by tradition and sacrifice. In the present, she maintains a strong connection to her roots and communicates with her daughter Ruth through symbolic means.

Young Rachel is a bright, ambitious girl who chafes at the traditional expectations imposed by her Moroccan immigrant family. She is forced toward an arranged marriage to her uncle Moshe, illustrating the clash between personal desire and family duty. Her experiences plant the seeds for Cheli’s later sense of self.

Moshe is the much older uncle chosen as Rachel’s husband, a symbol of arranged marriage and family obligation. His presence embodies the patriarchal pressures that govern the girls’ futures. The dynamic between Moshe and Rachel highlights power imbalances within the family structure.

The mother is the central ritual leader, performing sh’chur to address the family’s problems. Her actions reveal both a caring instinct and a reliance on magical practices to manage reality. Her role underscores the maternal influence over daughters’ destinies and the perpetuation of tradition.

The father figures as a disciplinary and protective presence within a tense household. His clashes with his children expose the emotional strain of a family trying to hold together under pressure. His era-borne beliefs contribute to the environment that shapes the daughters’ choices.

Shlomo is the brother pressured to marry Denise’s brother Dede, illustrating the ongoing influence of arranged marriage within the family. He resists some expectations, signaling moments of resistance to tradition. His role demonstrates the conflicting loyalties among siblings.

Zohara is the sister who cavorts with a boyfriend, triggering the decision to wed and sparking a chain of family conflicts. She becomes overwhelmed by the pressures placed on her and experiences distress that reverberates through the family's dynamics. Her actions catalyze pivotal moments, including the storm that disrupts the wedding.

Dede is Denise’s brother who exerts coercive influence and commits an act of rape against Pnina in revenge, leading to pregnancy. His actions are a catalyst for trauma and institutionalization within the family. He embodies the darker side of the family’s complex power dynamics.

Ruth is Cheli’s autistic daughter who accompanies her mother on the journey back to the past. She is a focal point for the mother-daughter bond in the present and a symbol of vulnerability and resilience. Their relationship develops a unique, telepathic connection that provides emotional resonance to the story.