Author, Playwright. He was born in the town of Nesvizh, Minsk, Russia. Early in his life he started writing, usually short stories and in Yiddish. As times passed he began branching out into theater management and playwright. He resolved to become a dramatic author and moved to Odessa where he produced his play "Der Rewizor." The play became very successful and exhibited his talent as a writer. He left Odessa and came to New York in 1888 where he edited the "Friend of the People," and the Jewish "Puck," two Yiddish weeklies. He wrote more than three hundred novels in Judaeo German, partly historical and partly reflecting Jewish life in the small towns and villages of Russia, in mid nineteenth century Russia. His most popular novels include "Der Katorzhnik," "Der Blutiger Adieu," and "Der Frumer Merder." Over thirty of his plays were produced, both in Russia then repeated later in New York. He became known as "The Hebrew Dumas" of Yiddish literature, and known primarily by his pen name of "Shomer." His publications achieved great success and profit. Many of his books caused a division between the old and new generation of Jews as many of his book themes revolved around the restoration of Zion. His funeral procession began where the services were performed, at the Educational Alliance. The hearse worked it's way along the route to the cemetery with residents joining the procession along the way. By the time the procession reached the cemetery the police estimate the crowd at 50,000, later raising the count to 100,000. He was beloved by his community, known as the "East Side Poet," and was a story teller and his readers took comfort in his prose. He was a man of his people and told the stories the people loved to hear.
Author, Playwright. He was born in the town of Nesvizh, Minsk, Russia. Early in his life he started writing, usually short stories and in Yiddish. As times passed he began branching out into theater management and playwright. He resolved to become a dramatic author and moved to Odessa where he produced his play "Der Rewizor." The play became very successful and exhibited his talent as a writer. He left Odessa and came to New York in 1888 where he edited the "Friend of the People," and the Jewish "Puck," two Yiddish weeklies. He wrote more than three hundred novels in Judaeo German, partly historical and partly reflecting Jewish life in the small towns and villages of Russia, in mid nineteenth century Russia. His most popular novels include "Der Katorzhnik," "Der Blutiger Adieu," and "Der Frumer Merder." Over thirty of his plays were produced, both in Russia then repeated later in New York. He became known as "The Hebrew Dumas" of Yiddish literature, and known primarily by his pen name of "Shomer." His publications achieved great success and profit. Many of his books caused a division between the old and new generation of Jews as many of his book themes revolved around the restoration of Zion. His funeral procession began where the services were performed, at the Educational Alliance. The hearse worked it's way along the route to the cemetery with residents joining the procession along the way. By the time the procession reached the cemetery the police estimate the crowd at 50,000, later raising the count to 100,000. He was beloved by his community, known as the "East Side Poet," and was a story teller and his readers took comfort in his prose. He was a man of his people and told the stories the people loved to hear.
Bio by: Saratoga
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Schaikewitz memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
