A Jewish writer in Czarist Russia is forced to flee when the government comes after him for his "objectionable" writings. He emigrates to the US, where he settles in New York City's Lower East Side. A friend tells him that his wife, who he was forced to leave behind in Russia, has died. He later marries the daughter of a temple cantor, who will have nothing to do with him. As if that weren't enough, he finds that his "ex" wife is actually still alive and living in Russia. Complications ensue.