He learned to speak German during World War I. A German military officer taught him.
Emigrated to Germany in 1920.
Lost his Polish citizenship after he refused to serve in the armed forces. This and a personal dislike for Poland resulted in his never visiting his family again, though he did support them financially.
Was the last surviving member of the Comedian Harmonists.
His father, Schlama, worked in the textile industry.
His mother was originally from Warsaw.
He had 8 siblings, his youngest sister being born in 1908. Four of his siblings died at young ages.
Lived in California from 1941 until his death.
Starting in 1947, he worked as a cantor. Initially retiring in 1971, he soon resumed working and was at one point the oldest cantor in the United States.