Eli, a handsome handyman at an old people's home in Safad, Israel, dreams of becoming an artist. In his spare time, he sketches the residents of the home. He becomes particularly fond of Rachel, an elderly woman from Kiev, and a close personal friendship develops between the two. One day, Eli meets a young girl who has come to the home to pick up the possessions of her deceased grandfather. While the two are making love in Eli's room, Rachel knocks on the door, but Eli does not answer. At first Rachel is hurt, and the other women taunt her, but she gradually comes to realize Eli's need for young company. [Other sources indicate that Eli decides that his friendship with Rachel and his responsibility to the other old people who are awaiting death are more important than the young girl.]