Thousands of Jews participated here today in the funeral of Maurice Schwartz, world famous Jewish actor and founder of the Yiddish Art Theatre, who died last week in Israel following a heart attack. His body was brought here yesterday on an El Al plane for burial in New York in accordance with his last wishes.
His body lay in state last night at a funeral chapel on Second Avenue–the East Side that he loved–while thousands passed before the bier for a last look at the actor widely acclaimed the most powerful force of the Yiddish theatre for 50 years. Funeral services were held at noon today. Second Avenue was roped off by police as thousands Jammed the street, unable to get into the chapel, listening to the services over loud speakers. Burial was in the Mt. Hebron Cemetery of the Jewish Theatrical Alliance.
From Actors Equity, the professional organization of the American stage, came George Jessel to represent his profession at the services. Simon Rechtzeit officially represented the Hebrew Actors Union. The editors of the Yiddish press were there, as well as an official representative of the Israel Government, Consul David Rivlin. Dr, Israel Gold-stein conducted the services, and the liturgy was chanted by Cantor Moshe Koussevitsky. Thousands of telegrams and letters of condolence were received from all over the world.
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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.
