Every now and then a film comes along with a profound message that resonates long after the closing credits have ended. In the award-winning film Live and Become, directed by Radu Mihaileanu, we witness the protagonist, Shlomo, endure a compelling journey of self-discovery. He really does “live” a tumultuous life, which leads him to “become” the person he was always destined to be. The thread that weaves this passage together for Shlomo is Judaism. And ironically, Shlomo was not Jewish.

The story begins in 1985 in Ethiopia during the highly secretive rescue mission called “Operation Moses,” during which thousands of Ethiopian Jewish refugees, otherwise known as “Falashas,” were airlifted to Israel to escape the horrors of oppression in their native land. Immediately, the story has a twist. A 9-year-old Christian boy is forced by his own mother to take the place in Operation Moses of a Jewish refugee boy who had died prior to departing. This boy, who is renamed Shlomo, is too young to understand why his mother has taken such drastic measures to save his life. He is told he must never reveal his true identity, and therein begins Shlomo’s perplexing story.

Shlomo is an endearing, vulnerable young boy—albeit with a bad temper—who transforms into a reflective adolescent and eventually into a composed young man by the end of the film. Three convincing actors portray each of these stages in Shlomo’s life in the film. Throughout his story, young Shlomo forms influential relationships that build his character, which is really what he needed all along. His adoptive French-Israeli mother, Yoram, is protective and supportive of his assimilation into Israeli culture. As Shlomo enters young adulthood, he meets Sarah. She is a beautiful native Israeli. Because their skin colors are different, Shlomo is confronted with racial prejudice from her family. We are happy for Shlomo when Qes, an Ethiopian rabbi, takes him under his wing and guides him with the power of Judaism, to which Shlomo responds very positively.

It is Shlomo’s inspired dedication to the study of Judaism that ultimately gets him through the hardships of feeling like an outsider for the majority of the film. This feeling of not belonging is due to the fact that he is lying to everyone about being Jewish, including his true love, Sarah. We sympathize with Shlomo that he has to hide his real identity throughout his entire life in order to survive.

Live and Become is a must-see for any teen or young adult who is dedicated to finding his or her identity, regardless of religious beliefs. It is gushing with moral lessons. Shlomo shares his journey of self-discovery with viewers and teaches us that it is important to honor our roots, which keep us on track toward our intended futures. The love story between Shlomo and Sarah shows us that being the giver and recipient of love genuinely empowers us. Despite their union being completely forbidden by Sarah’s family, they remained committed to each other. Shlomo also teaches us that Judaism is defined by how you practice it throughout your life, rather than by simply being born into the religion. Ultimately this film teaches all of us that the harshness of life’s uncertainties can be replaced by the warmth and strength of self-assuredness.

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Brian Brooks is a sophomore in high school from Miami, Fla. He’s a member of the jazz ensemble at his school and is also an accomplished musician, playing instruments like piano, guitar and trumpet. He enjoys listening to the John Butler Trio and Coldplay, and he’s inspired by the philanthropic work of U2’s Bono, the witty words of author Nick Hornby and the dynamic culture of Israel.