The serial is based on the true story of the writer Jack Ronder's own Jewish family after his grandfather fled Lithuania from the persecution of Tsarist Russia in 1885. Believing themselves heading for New York the immigrants were put ashore near Dundee by an unscrupulous sea captain, and left to fend for themselves with little money and even less language. The drama follows his fortunes over a period of 70 years.
Lithuania, 1885. 'One-third to die, one-third to become Christian, one-third to emigrate.' But one Jew escapes this harsh edict. He has only one word of English: 'America'.
Edinburgh, 1903. Moshe Kaydan has married Rivka. Their fight against poverty is a bitter one, but ignorance and prejudice are even greater enemies. Prod: 30 Mar 1980.
Edinburgh, 1916. The Kaydan family are growing up, and there is a war in Europe. Family ties and patriotism are in conflict; also there are marriages to be arranged. Prod: 14 Apr 1980.
Fife, 1923. The Kaydan Family have taken a cottage in the country for what should be a summer idyll.
Edinburgh 1933: Ian Solomon is now the mainstay of the family, but other emotional demands require him to make an agonising choice. The Kaydan family is used to anti-Semitic prejudice, but they have their own prejudices, as Solomon's girlfriend Marjory finds out when she becomes pregnant. Prod: 28 Apr 1980.
Edinburgh 1943: Moshe is now assured of a comfortable old age, but the future of his tribe is not so certain. Prod: 12 May 1980.
