In 1890s New York, Jewish migrant Jake has assimilated seamlessly into the American community—until Gitl, his wife from back home, arrives on his doorstep. Jake is embarrassed by his traditional wife’s unsophisticated ways, while Gitl discovers adapting to the new life is going to be a challenge.

Carol Kane was nominated for an Oscar® as the wide-eyed protagonist in Joan Micklin Silver’s miraculous first feature. A milestone in American independent cinema, this bittersweet, Yiddish slice-of-life explores the tussle between tradition and assimilation for immigrant Jews on the Lower East Side.