As first generation Americans growing up in immigrant neighborhoods, some Jews turned towards organized crime and joined the Mob. While maintaining close ties to their families, communities and even Jewish tradition, they led lives that included bootlegging during Prohibition, gambling rackets, theft and even murder.

Their lives were a paradox - criminals who were proud Jews. This collection of stories is about heroes and villains. It will bring us to the World Series, alcohol smuggling, the streets of Brooklyn and Sing Sing Prison. We'll meet Arnold Rothstein - the architect of modern organized crime, Mayer Lansky - the brains and one of the big bosses of the Mafia, Abe Reles - one of the contract killers of Murder Inc. and many more.

Part 2- https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/e/gangsters-racketeers-jewish-activists-tales-of-the-jewish-mafia-part-ii/

Part 3- https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/e/gangster-on-the-roof-tales-of-the-jewish-mafia-part-iii/

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You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com