An unusually large outpouring of Jewish authors, playwrights, newspapermen, theatre folk and other friends gathered yesterday afternoon to pay their final tribute to Israel Freedman, one of the most popular Yiddish writers of his generation, at the services in the Sigmund Schwartz Funeral Parlor, 312 East Fifth street.
When former City Court Justice Gustav Hartman, president of the Israel Orphan Asylum, recalling over the casket Mr. Freedman’s tireless efforts on behalf of orphaned youngsters, mentioned “the wonderful heritage of his deeds,” men and women in every part of the hall broke down in sobs.
EDLIN GIVES EULOGY
Literati, actors and reporters who could not enter the overcrowded funeral parlor filled the sidewalk in front. Numerous persons prominent in the Jewish community unobtrusively and patiently stood on the fringes of the throng.
Peretz Shreibers, a union of Jewish writers, of which Mr. Freedman was vice-president, turned out practically in a body, as their representative, William Edlin, delivered the official eulogy.
Abraham Cahan, editor of the Jewish Daily Forward; Jacob Magidoff, city editor of the Jewish Morning Journal; former Alderman Louis Zeltner, and others from many walks of life spoke over the casket, stressing Mr. Freedman’s devotion to his family, his profession and ideals.
A lengthy telegram was received from Eddie Cantor, screen and radio comedian, for whom the son of the deceased, David, writes broadcast skits. Cantor’s telegram informed the younger Freedman that a professional engagement made it impossible for him to attend the funeral.
LUMINARIES PRESENT
But such luminaries of the stage as Ludwig Satz, Aaron Lebedeff and Leon Blanc were there, as well as Nathan Parness, theatre manager and personal friend of Freedman, who created a following for himself in the Yiddish press under the pen-name of “Israel the Yankee.” His widow, Sarah, and daughter, Sophie, an artist, were present, besides the son, David.
Monday evening many Broadway personalities, including Freedman’s Gentile friends, filed past the body. He died of a heart attack last Sunday in Fallsburg, N. Y., where he went for a rest, following his strenuous efforts on behalf of the orphan asylum benefit show in Madison Square Garden recently. Mr. Freedman, who was fifty-six years old, was expelled from Rumania early in his youth for his Socialist convictions, and came to the United States in 1900.
Interment was in the family plot of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Cypress Hills.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
