In Russia at the turn of the century, a wealthy Jewish merchant enjoys the best of relations with his Russian neighbours, while his respected home forms the obvious social centre of the entire community. However, the atmosphere grows more tense as the local authorities come under pressure to fall in line with the officially sanctioned anti-Semitic policies of the Tsarist Government. The village elder is one of our hero's best friends and together they seem to find a way to outwit these evil intentions but unfortunately they fail to understand what forces they are dealing with in a country where anti-Semitism is state policy.

Мотл Рабинович отмечал открытие своего маленького дела. Село Антоновка гуляло весело, не чуя грядущей беды. По-русски хмельное, по-еврейски ироничное гульбище вселяло надежду, что ничего плохого не случится...