Former “Green Tree” Jewish Theatre

In a coquettish summer garden called “Green Tree”, which no longer exists, a professional theatre band conducted in Yiddish language was founded in 1876. This is credited as the founding act of the first professional Jewish theatre in the world. Founded by the poet and playwright Abraham Goldfaden, the band went on tours throughout the country and abroad, working as a nursery for the entire world scene of Yiddish theatre. According to actress Barbara Streisand, his plays boosted Broadway. In 1878, Joseph Lateiner, born in Iași, has become the theatre’s playwright and after his emigration to the USA, he has founded “The Grand Theater” New York in Manhattan, in 1902. The “Green Tree” terrace was operational until 1971, when it was demolished in order to enlarge the Theatre Park. A monument was erected in memory of the garden, as well as the bust of Goldfaden, near the National Theatre. (PHOTO : Cosmin CEUCĂ)