M. was born on 19 January 1893 in Lenin, Minsk Gubernia, Poland.

His father was a melamed (teacher).

Until age twelve he learned in a cheder. Then for three years he was in a Pinsk Russian a school and became a bookbinder. But after working for eight months he he was "[aroysgelozt] in the world".

In 1913 he began to prompt in a dramatic circle, then in professional troupes and later settled in Poland.
 

Sh. E.