Abraham Ellstein

Abraham Ellstein was a prominent American Jewish composer and pianist active in the early to mid-20th century. He was known for his contributions to Yiddish theater and synagogue music. Ellstein composed numerous works including Yiddish operettas, film scores, and liturgical pieces. He was part of a group of composers sometimes referred to as the "Big Four" of Second Avenue, alongside Sholom Secunda, Joseph Rumshinsky, and Alexander Olshanetsky, who were influential in shaping the sound of Yiddish theater music in New York City.

Born in 1907 in New York City, Ellstein showed musical talent from a young age. He studied at the Settlement Music School and later at Juilliard. Throughout his career, Ellstein bridged the worlds of secular and religious Jewish music, composing both popular tunes for the Yiddish stage and serious concert works. He passed away in 1963, leaving behind a rich legacy in Jewish-American music.