Gangsters of the Lower East Side

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Gangsters of the Lower East Side

COJECO Jewish Intellectual Club BESEDA: Gangsters of The Lower East Side by Dr. Yigal Kotler

Monday. June 9, 6:15 PM (In Russian)

This new walking tour by Dr. Yigal Kotler will shed light on another side of the history of Jewish immigration to the United States in the early 20th century: the Jewish criminal world. Arnold Rothstein, Meir Lansky and Bugsy Siegel were all notorious gangsters whose criminal activities extended to Atlantic City, Miami, Cuba and Las Vegas, but their stories began on the Lower East Side of New York. We will view sites that were associated with Jewish gangsters, bootleggers from Kosher Nostra, gamblers, pimps, and others. At the same time, we will learn how Jewish mobs fought against local Nazis in the 1930’s. During this tour, we will examine the roots of the criminal world of Jewish immigrants, analyze questions of morality, power and assimilation, and the reaction of the broader law-abiding Jewish community.

After the tour, visitors will have a chance to continue their experience at the Backroom, the only authentic speakeasy bar in NYC from the time of Prohibition Law, the favorite place of Meir Lansky and Bugsy Siegel. There, they can enjoy live music by Svetlana Shmulyian’s jazz band and dancing in the style of the roaring 20s (not included in the tour’s program.)

Register here https://cojecocouncilofjewishemigrecommunityorganizations…

BESEDA: COJECO Jewish Intellectual Circle is part of COJECO Adult Jewish Education Series generously supported by the UJA-Federation of NY.