Lives in the Yiddish Theatre
SHORT BIOGRAPHIES OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE Yiddish THEATRE
aS DESCRIBED IN zALMEN zYLBERCWEIG'S "lEKSIKON FUN YIDISHN TEATER"

1931-1969
 

Harry (Tsvi Hersh) Sackler

 

S. was born on 22 August 1883 in Bohorodchany (Brotchin), near Stanislawow, Galicia. From his mother's side -- ur-grandson of the Gaon R' Feivel Shreyer, author of "Der kidushim". Until age fourteen he learned in a cheder. Then he received a secular education in Radovits, Czernowitz and Vienna (gymnasium courses).

1902 -- immigrated to America, and in 1908 completed in new York the Yiddish high school, but he never practiced as an advocate, but he gave himself to literature, history and the social sciences.

As a youth of fourteen years, he began to write songs and stories in Hebrew; S. had in 1907 debuted in the "Forward' with a monologue and then worked in various literary areas.

1908 -- published under the pseudonym n’ Sholem in the "Fraye arbeter shtime" his charakter bild in one act "Yukel gonev", which in 1909 was published in a separate edition in New York. The one-acter on 12 November 1909 was staged through a literary dramatic club in New York, and later through many other "amateur" circles in America and Europe.

On 23 January 1909, S. published in the "Fraye arbeter shtime" "Tsvey veltn (Two Worlds)" (tseyt-bild).

 

On 6-13 March 1909 he had in the "Fraye arbeter shtime" published under the pseudonym of Tsvi n’ Sholem "Untervelt (Underworld)" (a tragedy in one act), that on 12 November 1909 was staged through a literary dramatic club in New York.

In 1912 in New York's "Dos yidishe folk", there was published under the pseudonym Tsvi n’ Sholem "Dos toytndlid, a drama in three acts".

In the jubilee edition of New York's "Dos yidishe folk" (1913), there was published under the pseudonym Tsvi n’ Sholem  S.'s "Feyer tants" (dramatic episode).

1915 -- S. wrote down in Yiddish his play "Yosi fun yokris", which in 1921 was published in his own Hebrew translation in New York's "Ha-Toren", and on 11 September 1923 it was staged in Yiddish in New York's Irving Place Theatre under the direction of Samuel Goldenburg (with his and Muni Weisenfreund's participation), under the name "Der heyliker tiran". On 24 February 1928, the play under the direction of Yitzhak Grudberg [Turkow] was staged by the amateur society "Yidishe bine" in Wlotslawek, under the name of "Yosi fun yokris", a historical drama in four acts". The Yiddish text of the play under the name "Yosi fun yokris" was published in the second volume of S.'s "Dramen" (New York, 1925). The Hebrew text of the play in the Spring of 1926 was staged through a group of "amateurs" in Boston.

In 1919 in the Hebrew journal "Ha-Toren" in N. Y., there was published S.'s "Heir hntskhit" (a legend in one act). The one-acter in Yiddish was never published, against published in the English journal "Menorah" (New York, June-July 1924) in an English adaptation of the author.

In 1922 S. finished his play "Yiskor", a dramatic legend in four acts, prologue and epilogue". On 13 April 1923 it was staged under the direction of Maurice Schwartz in New York's Yiddish Art Theatre. On 14 September 1924 the play under the direction of mark Arnstein was staged in Europe [Warsaw's Kaminski Theatre. Musical illustration -- Y. Shlossberg, scenery according to the project of the painter Galevsky], and since then very often, performed on the various Yiddish stages in Europe and America. The text of the Yiddish play was published in S.'s second volume of "Dramen" (New Yorki, 1925). In 1927 in Eretz Yisrael, the play was performed in the Hebrew translation of A. Ben-Shmr. In January 1925 in Loews State Theatre in New York, there was shown the film of the play (filmed in Vienna under the direction of Sidney Goldin, wit the members from New York's Yiddish Art Theatre, and with the participation of the European actors Dagny Servaes, Oscar Beregi et al), who later became known across America and Europe.

In 1924 S. completed "Dem tsadiks nesie (The Saint's Journey)", a Chasidic bayke in four acts", which on 21 January 1926 was performed one time under the direction of Maurice Schwartz in New York's Yiddish Art Theatre (scenery -- Y. Foshko, music -- Y. Orenshteyn). On 6 June 1928 the play was staged through "Yung argentine" in Buenos Aires [The Saint's Journey, a story in four acts with a prologue and epilogue, according to the view and under the direction of Leo Halpern. Scenery, masks, costumes  -- Misha Schwartz, Chasidic melodies -- A. Davidi, special compositions -- Miguel Gerbanov]. The same play in February 1930 was staged through A. Morewsky with the members of the "Literary Dramatic Society" in Chicago. The Yiddish text of the play was printed in S.'s first volume of "Dramen" (N. Y., 1925), and in an English translation  of S. -- in the English journal "The Reflex" (New York, November 1927).

On 23 November 1924 in New York's "Der tog", S.s "Mizrakh-vant" (a one-acter) was published.

In 1925 S. finished his "Der veg tsu got (The Road to God), a drama in eight scenes with a prologue", which was published in S.'s first volume of "Dramen" (New York, 1925).

In 1926 S. wrote his play "Shretele, a libretto in three acts", which until now had neither been published nor performed.

In 1927 in New York's publishing house "Nekhemye", there was published S.'s "Kenig ashmedi", a biblical drama in five acts."

In July 1927 S.'s "Der zeher zet zayn kallah (The Seer Looks at his Bride), a miniature drama in three scenes", which on 14 April 1929 was staged through the "Vardi-Yoalit Studio" in N. Y. The play in 1928 was included in the fourth volume of S.'s "Dramen" (N. Y., publisher "Nekhemye Lin"). In July's no. 1927 of the English journal "The reflex" in Ne York, there was published the author's English translation, and in the Hebrew journal "Ha-Do'ar" (N. Y., August-September 1932) -- his Hebrew translation of the play.

In 1928 in the fourth volume of S.'s "Dramen" (N. Y., publisher "Nekhemye Lin"), there was published S.'s play "Major Noah", which on 15 February 1929 under the name "Mayor Noakh, an American-Yiddish comedy", was staged under the direction of Maurice Schwartz, in New York's Yiddish Art Theatre (scenery -- A. Chertov).

In 1928 in the fourth volume of S.'s "Dramen" (N. Y., publisher "Nekhemye Lin"), there was published S.'s play, "Rakhev fun yerekho", which was prepared for its performance by the "Habima" in the Hebrew translation of the author.

S.'s printed plays in Yiddish:

{1]  Yukel ganev, (charakter-bild in one act), by Tsvi n’ Sholem, ["Fraye arbeter shtime", N. Y., 31 October, 7 November 1908].

[1a]  Aroysgegeben fun A. Vaserman, New York, 1909.

[2]    Tsvey veltn, (Tseyt-bild fun tsvi n’ sholem), ["Fraye arbeter shtime", N. Y., 23 January 1909].

[3]    Untervelt, (a tragedye in eyn act), fun tsvi n’ sholem, ["Fraye arbeter shtime", N. Y., 6-19 March, 1909].

[4]    Tsvi n’ Sholem, Dos toytenlied, a drama in three acts, ["Dos idishe folk", N. Y., 11, 20, 25 September 1912].

[5]    Tsvi n’ Sholem, Der feyer-tants, a dramatic episode, ["dos idishe folk", N. Y., Jubilee edition, 1913].

[6]    H. Sekler (Tsvi n’ Sholem), Mizrakh-vant, a one-acter, ["Der tog", N. Y., 23 November 1924].

[7]    H. Sekler, Der veg tsu got, [printed in S.'s first volume of "Dramen", N. Y., 1925].

[8]    H. Sekler, Dem tsadiks nesie, [printed in S.'s first volume of "Dramen", N. Y., 1925].

[9]    H. Sekler, Yizkor, [printed in S.'s second volume of "Dramen", N. Y., 1925].

[10]   H. Sekler, Yosi fun yokris, [printed in S.'s second volume of "Dramen", N. Y., 1925].

[11]   H. Sekler, Kenig ashmadi, publishing house "Nekheyme", N. Y., 1927 [120 pp., 16°].

[12]   H. Sekler, Der zeher zet zayn kallah, miniature drama in three scenes, ["Tsoyfkum", N. Y., 7, 1927].

[12a]  [Printed in S.'s fourth volume of Dramen", N. Y, 1928].

[13]   Major Noah, [printed in S.'s fourth volume of "Dramen", N. Y., 1928].

[14]   Rakhev fun yerekho, [printed in S.'s fourth volume of "Dramen", N. Y., 1928].


S.'s printed plays in Hebrew:

[1]    H. Sklr (Tsvi n'  Sholem), Yosi fun yukrit, trgdih barbe merkhus, ["Ha-Toren", N. Y., 16 May 1919].

[2]    Heir hntskhit, Mat H. Sklr (Tsvi n' Sholem), ["Ha-Toren", N. Y., 16 May 1919].

[3]    H. Sklr, Hkhuzh ruah at kltu, ["Ha-Toren", N. Y., August-September 1932].


S.'s printed plays in English:

[1]    The Legend of Luz, a play by Harry Sackler. "Menorah", N. Y., June-July, 1924.

[2]    The Seer looks at his Bride, by Harry Sackler. "The Reflex", New-York, July, 1927.

[3]    The Tsadik's Journey, by Harry Sackler. "The Reflex", New-York, November 1927.

 

Sh. E. and Sh. E. from Dr. Yehoshua Bloch.

  • Z. Reyzen -- "Lexicon of Yiddish Literature", Vol. II, pp. 678-684.

  • B. Gorin --  Yizkor, a dramatic legend in four acts with a prologue and epilogue by H. Sackler, "Morning Journal", N. Y., 18 April 1923.

  • W. Edlin -- "Yizkor", a naye piese fun heri skler, geshpilt in idishn kunst teater, "Der tog", N. Y., 19 April 1923.

  • L. S. Bieli -- H. sekler's 'yizkor' in shvarts's kunst theater, "Yidtgbl't", 20 April 1923.

  • Liliput -- A rirende fartseytige legende, "Frayhayt", N. Y., 20 April 1923.

  • Dr. A. Mukdoni -- Di idishe legende oyf der bine, "Morning Journal", N. Y., 27 April 1923.

  • L. S. Bieli -- "Der heiliger tiran" in irving pleys theater, "Yidtgbl't", N. Y., 14 September 1923.

  • Dr. A. Mukdoni -- Der heiliger tiran, "Morning Journal", N. Y., 18 September 1923.

  • William Edlin -- "Der heiliger tiran", "Der tog", N. Y., 19 September 1923.

  • Aksel [Epstein] -- Der heiliger tiran, "Fraye arbeter shtime", N. Y., 21 September 1923.

  • Regidebel -- Drame eyn, drame oys, "Der groyser kibitser", N. Y., 21 September 1923.

  • Hillel Rogoff -- Tsvey piesen in irving pleys theater, "Forward", N. Y., 5 October 1923.

  • Liliput -- "Der heiliger tiran", "Di prese", Buenos Aires, 27 October 1923.

  • Sze -- [review] -- "Der moment", Warsaw, 21 December 1924.

  • J. Apenszlak -- "Iskor", legenda dramaticzna, "Nasz Przeglad", Warszawa, 21/12 1924.

  • A foygel [Y. M. Neyman] -- A ney luftel in idishen teater, "Nayer haynt", Warsaw, 23 December 1924.

  • N. M.  [Nachman Meizel] --  Yizkor in kaminskis teater, "Literarisher bleter", Warsaw, N' 51, 1924.

  • M. W. [Michael Weichert] -- Fun yidishn teater, "Ilustrirte vohl", Warsaw, N' 51, 1924.

  • Eyner [A. Eynhorn] -- Teatrale notitsen, "Nayer haynt", Warsaw, 1 January 1925.

  • Dr. Michael Weichert -- Premieres, "Ilustrirte vokh", Warsaw, N' 1, 1925.

  • [--] -- A sensatsye in lodzer yudishen teater. "Yizkor" fun harry sekler in der oyffirung fun mark arnshteyn, "Nayer folksblat". Lodz, 12 January 1925.

  • A. A-rin -- Fun yudishen teater, "Lodzer tageblat", 12 January 1925.

  • [--] -- Der erfolg fun "yizkor' in yudishen teater, same, 18 January 1925.

  • Mordechai Dantsis -- H. sekler der vaksender dramaturg, "Yudtgbl't", N. Y., 27 February 1925.

  • N. Buchwald -- Nor a shtreymeldike piese ba shvarts'n, "Frayhayt, N. Y., 29 January 1926.

  • L. Kesner -- "Dem tsadik's nesie", "Yudtbgl't", N. Y., 29 January 1926.

  • Dr. A. Mukdoni -- "Dem tsadik's nesie", "Morning Journal", N. Y., 5 February 1926.

  • M. Olgin -- Naye dramen, "Der hamer", N. Y., March 1926.

  • Morris Meyer -- Yizkor -- a vunderbare piese tsu zen un tsu gedenken, "Di tsayt", London, 17 January 1927.

  • M. Olgin -- H. sekler, "kenig ashmadi", "Der hamer", N. Y., February 1928.

  • Shmuel Rozhansky -- Der ershter aroystrit fun "yung-argentine", "Dem tsadiks nesie" fun h. sekler, "Idishe tsaytung", Buenos Aires, 8 June 1928.

  • Sh. Feynberg -- Vegn "dem tssadiks nesie" un vegn di provn fun "yung-argentine", "Prese", Buenos Aires, 18 June 1928.

  • A. Waldman -- "Dem tsadiks nesie" fun sekler, debut fun der dramatisher shul "yung argentine", "Idishe velt", Buenos Aires, N' 40, 1928.

  • Ab. Cahan -- "Mayor noakh", a naye piese in shvarts's teater, N. Y. , 19 February 1929.

  • Sh. Niger -- Moshiakh -- amerikaner stil, "Der tog", N. Y., 21 February 1929.

  • A. Glantz -- H. seklers "mayor noakh", "Der tog", N. Y., 22 February 1929.

  • Dr. A. Mukdoni -- Mayor noakh, "Morning Journal", N. Y., 22 February 1929.

  • N. Buchwald -- Take historish, ober langveylig, "Frayhayt", N. Y., 22 February 1929.

  • Yankev Botoshansky -- Dos "naye idishe folks teater" iz mit h. seklers "izkor" vider aroyf af der derekh hayosher, "Prese", Buenos Aires, 25 July 1932.

  • T. Beylin -- Notitsn un bamerkungen, "Prese", Buenos Aires, 29 July 1932.

  • Sh. Bs -- Hri sklr, "Haretz", Tel-Aviv, 13 January 1933.


 

 

 

 


 

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Adapted from the original Yiddish text found within the  "Lexicon of the Yiddish Theatre" by Zalmen Zylbercweig, Volume 2, page 1519.
 

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