The extended Levin family is enjoying life in their close-knit Jewish neighborhood in Newark in 1940. Herman, an insurance agent who has been offered a promotion at work, is considering moving his family to an upwardly mobile neighborhood. On their way home, they drive past a German pub whose patrons hurl insults at them. Bess explains to Herman the downside of being the only Jewish family in a neighborhood. Sandy drops by the garage where Alvin works, to give him the sketch he had drawn, only to hear Alvin's ex-boss Herb call him a thief. As the Nazis overrun France, war talk swirls around Newark. Bess's sister Evelyn is seeing a married Italian in New York and Bess disapproves. Hero aviator Charles Lindbergh is preaching isolationism, blaming the Jews for pushing America in World War II, which causes an uproar in the Levins' neighborhood. Bess watches her mother so Evelyn can visit Angelo. Angelo backs off on his promise to get a divorce. Philip tells Bess about Alvin's situation. Herman goes to pay Herb back. Herman turns down the promotion. Alvin tells Sandy he was just covering for a friend. Evelyn informs Bess that she broke up with Angelo. Philip and a classmate bond over stamps. Evelyn meets the enchanting Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf. Lindbergh is running to be the Republican nominee for President on an isolationist, Fascist platform. Alvin moves out of Herman's house. Shushy gets beaten up by Fascist sympathizers. Herman hunts for Alvin to apologize then gets sidetracked watching newsreels of the Nazi blitzkrieg of Europe with Shepsie. Alvin and a couple of other young Jewish men attack two drunken Fascists in Union, to avenge Shushy. Sandy continues drawing his portrait of Lindbergh.