The protagonist is Adam Gardov, a Soviet citizen of Jewish origin who, in the 1970s, was able to emigrate from the Soviet Union. After leaving Russia, he flew to Austria, where representatives of the Israeli agency Sohnut greeted him and changed plans. He decides, instead of Israel, to continue to the United States. Waiting for an American visa takes six months; during that time, Adam works in Vienna for one of the more odious characters involved in immigration during those years- Madame Betina.
During his six months in Vienna, Adam meets with various people, characters, and destinies. In Austria, he becomes acquainted with his future wife, Nata. He will later send her through the Italian route for immigrants, where she waits for permission to enter America.
Madame Betina (as everyone called her) offers to assist in obtaining an Austrian residence permit, but Adam refuses to accept it. And when he receives his US visa, he does not hesitate to depart to New York-the city of his dreams.
Life in New York presents challenges that are rarely pleasant for foreigners: learning an unfamiliar language, finding an apartment, and finding a job. Quite typically, for many immigrants, a series of changing occupations end with the intent to start a small business. Adam tries to establish a business with former compatriots, but as Russians often say, "the first pancake always does not go so well." It was a failure, and the second attempt was no better. But Adam does not surrender, and while working as a waiter, cashier, and bartender, he cherishes his dream of having his own business in the restaurant sector.
On the bright side are an unexpected second encounter with Nata and the realization that she is his love-his fate is to have a family. They get married and have a daughter.
The story of Adam partly repeats the tortuous journey of other immigrants who have moved from their temporary residence in Europe to the United States. Adaptation, the ups, the downs, family. New hopes. Another attempt to open a new business and a determination to get his place on American soil. However, unlike many, Adam tried not to depend on the grace of fate and worked hard to achieve his dream.
On the bright side are an unexpected second encounter with Nata and the realization that she is his love-his fate is to have a family. They get married and have a daughter. The story of Adam partly repeats the tortuous journey of other immigrants who have moved from their temporary residence in Europe to the United States. Adaptation, the ups, the downs, family. New hopes. Another attempt to open a new business and a determination to get his place on American soil. However, unlike many, Adam tried not to depend on the grace of fate and worked hard to achieve his dream.
After leaving the USSR, Adam Gardov arrives in Austria to meet with the Israeli Sokhnut. He plans to immigrate to Israel and start a new life, but plans change. Instead of Israel, Gardov decides to apply for an American visa-a laborious process that takes six months. To support himself, he finds employment in Vienna, working for the odious Madame Betina.Gardov's decision will have far-reaching consequences. While anxiously awaiting word on his visa application, he meets the beautiful Nata, another Russian immigrant who turns his head before leaving for America.Join Gardov as he travels from Vienna to that iconic home of immigrants, New York City. There, he discovers life in America will not be easy. He has a new language to master, a job to find, and a driving need to start his own business. And when he reconnects with Nata, he realizes he cannot live without the charming and artistic young woman.The first volume in Shimon Garber's sweeping Immigrants saga, Capital of Immigrants, brings to life the trials of adapting to a new country and culture and the dedication it takes to forge a new life after leaving everything you once knew behind.
