Hebrew Actors' Union

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The Hebrew Actors' Union (HAU), formed in 1899 as a craft union for actors in Yiddish theater in the United States (primarily in New York City), was the first actors' union in the United States. Until it was dissolved in October 2005, it remained as one of the seven branches of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America (4As).^{[1] [2]} It was founded by Jewish labor leader Joseph Barondess.^[3]

A 1925 New York Times article desribed the union of having, at that time "over three hundred" members, and notes that it has "not only placed all of its members in good positions, but it has also granted many privileges to non-members..." It also notes that "A great many members of the union are American-born and all of them are thoroughly Americanized."^[4] The union represented "performers (except musicians) who are engaged in the field of Hebrew or Yiddish Language Theater".^[5]

In October 2005 the Hebrew Actors Union was declared defunct by its parent union, the 4As, following the 2002 death of its 91-year-old president, Seymour Rexite. After his death the organisation was without leadership and had few remaining members.^[6]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ As of September 2, 2006, it is still listed in the AFL-CIO's online list of Unions of the AFL-CIO.
2. ^ Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers: History, ATPAM. Accessed September 2, 2006.
3. ^ Pre-guild in the online history on the site of the Screen Actors' Guild. Accessed March 7, 2005.
4. ^ Melamed, S.M., "The Yiddish Stage", New York Times, Sep 27, 1925, p.X2.
5. ^ Unions with substantial membership in the Arts, Entertainment, and Media Industry, U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Agency, August 30, 2004. Accessed March 7, 2005.
6. ^ Robert Simonson, Where Have You Gone, Molly Picon?, All About Jewish Theatre, 2006, reprinted from The New York Times. Accessed March 7, 2005.