Not much is known about Goldye M. Steiner’s early life, but by the mid-1920s, Steiner had risen to prominence in New York City’s famous Yiddish theater scene. Steiner is often known as the first Black female cantor, although her performances were limited to the stage (rather than the synagogue) since women would not be ordained as rabbis and cantors for another 50 years. Steiner also appeared on Broadway and was renowned for her ability to sing in Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, German, French and English.
