Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois

Waldheim Cemetery Office
1400 Des Plaines Avenue
Forest Park, IL 60130
(800) 222-4541
(708) 366-4101

Entrance to Gate 226 is through Gate 228 (United Pavolotcher Society), image below.

This section (6E) is located to the southeast of the United Pavolotcher (Gate 228) section. Entrance to this area is from Harlem Avenue.

The Goldfaden section of Waldheim Cemetery (Gate #236) is named in honor of Abraham Goldfaden (1840-1908), known as the Father of Yiddish Theater in both Russia and the U.S. According to Wikipedia, in 1876 he founded what is generally credited as the world's first professional Yiddish-language theatre troupe. He was also responsible for the first Hebrew-language play performed in the United States. Goldfaden was born in Starokonstantinov, Vohlnyla (Russia; present day Ukraine). After a long career in Eastern Europe (which also included a brief time in New York from 1887 to 1889), he returned to New York in 1904, and died there is 1908.

According to Sidney Sorkin's "Bridges to an American City", a Goldfaden landsmanschaft is listed, but not much other information is included. It is presumed that Goldfaden member families are also from the Starokonstantinov area. Members of this group would meet periodically for picnics and social gatherings in Samuel Gompers Park, located on Chicago's north side.

Information about the Goldfaden Landsmanship Farband was generously provided by JGSI member Marcey Siegel.