Mendel Singer, a poor Jewish teacher in his homeland Galicia, has already three children as his wife Deborah gives birth to his forth child Menuchuim. But Menuchim is sick, he never learns walking nor speaking. As time moves on he and his wife veer away from each other and his other children no longer follow the traditional Jewish way of life. Samuchim has to flee to America, so he has not to join the army. And soon he lives the American way. Jonas on the other hand wishes to be part of the army. Mendels daughter Mirjam sleeps with (non Jewish) Cossacks. Everything seems to fall apart. After some years a friend of Samuchin arrives and offers them a passage to America. But there is a price to pay: Menuchim, still sick and underdeveloped, has no chance to pass the border. Full of hope and expectations Mendel Deborah and Mirjam start the journey.