Moishe Finkel was a prominent figure in the early years of Yiddish theater. He was business partner first of Abraham Goldfaden and later of Sigmund Mogulesko. For a time, he was married to prima donna Annetta Schwartz. Finkel married Emma Thomashefsky, sister of one of the most powerful figures in Yidish theatre. He shot his wife, Levinson, and himself.