I understand that there is another TV mini-series on the horizon glorifying Jewish gangsters. It seems that the public can’t get enough of the likes of Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky. Just as the most recent [and probably most historically inaccurate] episodes of “Boardwalk Empire” are put to rest, there is another miniseries called “Mob City” to be aired. This one takes a look at the tensions between Los Angeles police and gangsters like Mickey Cohen and Bugsy Siegel– how different is this from the movie with Sean Penn that came out earlier in the year is left to be seen. Films focusing on Jewish gangsters are nothing new, but remember this—these guys were thugs. No matter how much we would want to glorify or romanticize these individuals, no matter how attractive the leading men might be, no matter how action packed the movies are– they were ruthless lawbreakers and criminals. The Yiddish word Shanda, meaning embarrassment, comes to the forefront of my mind. And remember this—when these criminals were alive, Jewish community leaders never condoned their behavior.
The presence of Jewish criminals shouldn’t be that alarming. Being Jewish hasn’t always been about religion, not too long ago it was one’s ethnicity as well. And thus, every ethnic group has their fair share that casts a blithe on the rest. Jewish gangsters were no different in that regard. Like every immigrant group that comes to America, there is a percentage that seeks to survive and thrive by breaking the law. During a mass immigration between the years 1880-1920, nearly 2 million Jews arrived in the United States. A small percentage of them became hoodlums and criminals, most became law abiding citizens.
The history of Jewish gangsters in America can be broken up into 4 distinct periods. The first era was defined by neighborhoods of urban areas. In Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the Jewish gangs exploited lansmen through protection rackets and bullying tactics as well as providing to their vices of gambling and prostitution. They fought with other ethnic gangs in the area [mainly Italian and Irish ones]. But as the communities became established and Jews became integrated into society, the old guard yielded to a younger, more commercially enterprising group. With the onset of Prohibition, the generation of the Old World “Mustache Petes” yielded [usually with violence] to those involved with bootlegging, labor rackets, union busting, drugs and other established criminal activities. This was the era of the “tough Jews” and men like Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, Arnold Rothstein, and Lepke Buchalter, to name a few, came onto the scene. What they did differently was organize their criminal enterprises as a business and teamed with other ethnic gangs. Some of these criminals died horrific deaths or went to prison or were put to death in prison; some survived and thrived. After World War II, their ruthlessness remained but they moved into a larger realm of activity– almost corporate—and sought greater anonymity. This next era was exposed through investigation of the US Senate and its chair, Estes Kefauver. Now-a-days, Jewish criminals are more common to be white collar individuals but Jewish gangs from Israel or Russia do exist.
Professor Robert Rockaway of the University of Michigan compared Italian organized criminals and Jewish ones. While they partnered in many illegal activities [most notably through the partnership the created Murder Incorporated and the partnership between Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano], certain underlying differences existed between the two sets of criminals. The “Costa Nostra” brought over a culture from Italy where a weak central government could not protect nor provide for the people. The image of the “Godfather” filled that void. Thus it was not uncommon for the position of authority to be passed within the family. But the “Kosher Nostra” was filled with individuals who were engaged in business. This was their job. Usually the son did not follow in the father’s footsteps. As a result, Jewish gangs all but disappeared with a short period of time. Criminals became legitimate businessmen. Look at Benjamin “Dopey” Fein, who gave up criminal activities to run his own business. Look at the fate of Meyer Lansky’s sons- one became a physician and was financially successful while the other was a night watchman in a Miami hotel and died penniless.
A change in perception occurred in the late 1960s after The Six Day War, when tough Jew aura started to surge. Like David killing Goliath, Israel defeated the much larger and stronger Arab armies. Eyes of Jewish community started to look inward for its own tough Jews. Meyer Lansky fit the bill at 5 foot 4 inches. Then came the movie, “Godfather II”, and even more attention came onto these guys. But publicity focused more on Lansky, Siegel and Rothstein. Those who were convicted and executed for their crimes like Buchalter took second billing. Lansky died an old man of natural causes. Rothstein and Siegel were gunned down—much more Hollywood-esque.
Why this fascination with men like this? From a psychological point of view, these men represented a life many would never dream of living. It was filled with danger and intrigue as well as wealth and beautiful women. From a sociological perspective, the Jewish gangsters in the pre-World War II era were seen as tougher, more aggressive role model. They were in stark contrast to the stereotype of the Jew being timid or cowardice, book smart and not street smart. The image of defenselessness and powerlessness associated with Jews, compared with the physical aggressiveness and lawlessness more associated with the Irish and Italian immigrants began to disappear. According to Richard Cohen, author of Tough Jews: Fathers, Sons and Gangster Dreams: “if Jewish gangsters still thrived today, if they hadn’t gone legit, if Jews of my generation didn’t regard them as figments, creatures to be classed with Big Foot and the Loch Ness monster, I think the Jewish community would be better off.” Our focus downplayed their illicit behavior and illegal activities. From a religious perspective, these men were criminals; unworthy of being role models. To treat them as heroes in any way is wrong.
As you watch a movie or a television show that shows these gangsters, remember them for who they were and that is not easy. Yes, they were men who had families and many were good providers [Rockaway entitled his book: But- He was Good To His Mother]. But they were law breakers and criminals. We should not forget them, but view them with an eye focused on right and wrong.