T. was born on 2 February 1890 in Zhitomir, Ukraine. His father was a well-to-do businessman, a meshkil. He was given a traditional education with tutors, he learned Hebrew, later in a middle school and went off to become a purveyor.

In 1906 he came to America, became a cutter in a factory of women's clothing and in his free time effectively participated in the National-Socialist movement. In 1910 he entered into the Progressive Dramatic Club, where he dedicated himself to stage technique for the organized productions.

In 1916 T. was stage manager for the production of Pinski's "Gabri un di froyen", with which he made the attempt to create a Yiddish art theatre. In 1919 he was the secretary of the literary artistic [beyrat] of the "New Yiddish Theatre" and the manuscript reader for the theatre.

Since 1921 he was associated with the "Kunst-ring" and at the same time was a professional prompter in the Yiddish theatres in New York and in the province, part-time also their business director.

In February 1931 under the pseudonym of Yakov Goldin he staged with Celia Adler in Chicago's Lawndale Theatre T.'s play "Dorf a froy opnarn". The same play under the name "Ir ershter lign" (comedy-drama in 3 acts, music by Sh. Secunda) was staged on 2 December 1931 with Jennie Goldstein in the Rolland Theatre. T. had in [ktb-id nokh] several plays.

T.'s wife, Malka Karenshteyn, acted on the English stage with Muni Weisenfreund (Paul Muni).
 

Sh. E.