Loving Leah on CBS

By Ally Matteodo

For decades, TV viewers have been able to depend on The Hallmark Hall of Fame to deliver the very best in family-friendly entertainment; and this past week, Hallmark once again did not disappoint. For its inspirational qualities, the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Loving Leah is the Best TV Show of the Week. CBS aired the drama on Sunday, January 25^th at 9:00 p.m. ET. 

The story begins with Jake, a cardiologist in Washington D.C., dreaming of his brother, Benjamin.  Soon after that he learns the sad news that his brother has passed away, leaving behind a widow, Leah.  At his brother’s funeral Jake meets Leah, and learns of an ancient Jewish law that instructs the living brother to marry the deceased brother’s widow if she has not borne any children.  Jake is involved in a relationship and declines.  A couple of months later Leah and Jake meet again so that the rabbis may perform a ceremony to exonerate Jake from this responsibility.  At the actual ceremony however, Jake cannot go through with it, and suggests that Leah marry him.  She does so, and the two live as platonic roommates for a time.  Jake’s girlfriend is furious at him for marrying Leah, and eventually the two break up.  Meanwhile, Leah and Jake slowly begin to develop feelings for each other.  Jake’s mother comes to visit as the year anniversary of Benjamin’s death looms.  Jake suffers a minor crisis as he worries that he is betraying his brother Benjamin due to his strong feelings for Leah.  Jake leaves and sleeps at one of his colleagues' houses, and Leah returns to live with her mother in Brooklyn.  After only a few days apart, Leah and Jake both realize their love for each other, and Jake arrives in Brooklyn.  The two kiss passionately, and the movie ends with both of them placing objects on Benjamin’s grave in memoriam. 

After Jake receives the news about his brother’s death, it is revealed that the two hadn’t seen each other for six years.  Part of the reason for this lies in Jake’s inability to identify with his deeply religious rabbi brother.  However, in flashbacks from the past and pictures it’s clear that the two brothers were close and Jake admired Benjamin.  Leah and Jake are brought together through Benjamin, and this movie proves that there can be a silver lining when misfortune strikes.  Through the healing process, pain and sadness can bloom into happiness. Loving Leah proves that when love is present, hope springs eternal.