Kaddish for a Friend (ATOM Study Guide)

When Ali Messalem and his family move into a flat on a public housing estate in Berlin's Kreuzberg quarter, Ali's father is far from pleased that one of their neighbours, elderly and feisty war veteran Alexander Zamskoy, is a Russian Jew. Having grown up in a refugee camp, teenage Ali learned to hate Jews at an early age and is a product of his father's intolerant views.

Ali longs to be accepted by the Arab youths who live on the public housing project. In a desperate bid to fit in, Ali breaks into Alexander's home. Ali's 'friends' follow him and ransack the flat. Ali defaces the wall with anti-Semitic graffiti. When Alexander unexpectedly returns home, he recognises Ali and reports him to the police. Ali is taken in for questioning and is charged with burglary and incitement to racial hatred.

To avoid Ali being sentenced and the family being deported, Ali's mother forces him to apologise and to repair the damage. For the fiercely independent and stubborn Alexander, accepting Ali's help may save him from being placed in an aged-care facility. The elderly war veteran is reluctant to welcome Ali into his home but the threats of the well-meaning social services are all too real and he relents. The two must overcome their own prejudices and learn to trust each other.

Ali and Alexander form an unlikely friendship as they work together to repair the flat. Alexander teaches Ali how to box and about how to see the world he lives in. Ali draws a portrait of Alexander's son and fixes his washing machine and his turntable. Mutual distrust is replaced by understanding and affection.

While the court is eager to convict the Arab youth, Alexander argues that Ali has earned his forgiveness and that he should not be found guilty. The stress is too much and Alexander collapses as he pleads Ali's case. At Alexander's funeral, Ali recites the Kaddish. Afterwards he meets his father, and it is clear that along with Alexander's friends from the Jewish Veteran's Association, Ali's father is willing to move beyond intolerance and find a way to bridge racial divisions.

Ali's friendship with Alexander has changed him forever. His stencil art on the wall of a neighbourhood building is a fitting tribute to the last hero of H-Town.

Kaddish for a Friend is suitable for students in Years 11–12 undertaking

• English, English Extension and English for ESL Learners
• Film Television and New Media
• Languages other than English (German and Russian)
• Modern History
• Social and Community Studies
• Study of Religion
• Study of Society

Kaddish for a Friend is suitable for students in Years 7–10 undertaking English, Languages other than English, Media and Studies of Society and the Environment (Years 7–9).