Sonya Schnoema, a Jewish girl, comes to the United States as an immigrant and works in her father's ghetto grocery store, where she gains the affections of a young settlement worker, David Dahlman. But she loves Mischa, a young doctor who soon arrives from Odessa, and to aid him financially, she distinguishes herself in the local Yiddish theater. Mischa turns her down for a wealthy heiress, however, and owing to the jealousy of Yazurka, a prominent Polish actress, Sonya is refused an important role. During a performance, attended by David, there is a boiler explosion that causes panic in the theater, and Sonya comes from backstage and calms the crowd. Later, rescued by David, she accepts his admiration and love.