The well-to-do Tsipis family arrives in fervent and devout Jerusalem at the close of the 19th century, driven by the father's passionate Zionist vision. However, their 20-year-old daughter, Fruma, is a Russian idealist who rejects her Jewish heritage and aligns herself with the working class's struggle to 'overthrow the old world.' Secretly planning to return to Odessa and join her revolutionary lover, Pima. Fruma faces suspicion from her parents, who decide to send her to work at Eliezer Ben Yehuda's Hebrew newspaper, hoping he will inspire her with his mission to revive the Hebrew language. Initially cynical, Fruma finds herself inexplicably drawn to Eliezer. Their encounter forces Fruma to confront the consequences of her ideals, realizing the inadvertent harm caused to others due to their circumstances.
A once successful novelist tries to revive his fading career by launching a highly inventive scam. He recruits a reckless actress and trains her to assume the somber identity of a lit Masters student. Their lives will alter forever.