Born on 4 July 1896 in Tarnopol, Galicia.  His parents were flour merchants. He studied at a cheder and two years at a normal school.

In 1904 the family went to America. In New York he graduated from a public school and studied for three years in high school. He joined a literary drama club (on 238 East Broadway) appearing in recitations. In 1912 he debuted at the club, as “Chaikel” in Hirshbein’s “Lonely Worlds”. Later he acted there in other plays as well. After the club closed down due to financial difficulties, S. appeared in literary evenings again and set up a new club with Ben-Ami as stage director. In 1918 S. participated (not as a professional) in Schwartz’s plays at the Irving Palace Theatre. Only in 1920 did he play professionally at the Art Theatre (Schnitzer's). In 1921 he participated in the English production of Hirshbein’s “The Idle Inn”. From 1921-25 he acted at the Yiddish Art Theatre and also  participated in the troupe’s  European tour and in Sackler’s film “Yizkor”. In 1925-26 S. acted with Hollander in Montreal, in 1926-27 with Julius Nathanson in Boston, was  accepted as union member, and then from 1927-28 played with Glickman and Michalesko in Chicago. From 1928-29 S. played at the Brownsville Lyric Theatre, and in 1929-30 he played in Boston.

Sh. E.

Jacob Mestel – Who are the artists of New York’s Yiddish Art Theatre?, “Die zeyt”, London, April 1924.