Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Isaac Liberescu, Father of Yiddish Theatre, Dead

June 15, 1930
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Isaac Liberescu, who was the first to start a Yiddish theatre and to produce the musical plays of Abraham Goldfaden, died in Freedom Hill colony, near here.

The deceased, who was eighty years old, was born in Jassy, the largest Jewish center in Roumania, where he spent the early part of his life. Liberescu, like his father, who lived to the age of 105, started out as a “shamesh” (beadle) in the Great Synagogue of Jassy. Early in his youth, however, he got the urge for a stage career, and became in turn a prompter, actor and playright. He inspired Goldfaden to write and produced his plays by organizing what was the first Yiddish theatre, not only in Roumania but throughout the world.

Liberescu leaves five sons and two daughters, all of them living in this country. One daughter is Mrs. Konrad Bercovici, wife of the well-known American-Jewish writer of gypsy tales. One son is Dr. Ben-Zion Liber, prominent Jewish physician of New York and writer of articles on medical subjects. His other children are: Shalom Liber###ot of New York City, Sebastian Liberty of Plainfield, Morris Liberescu and Mrs. Most. His wife died three years ago as a result of an accident in New York City.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement