ARIEL Chabad Jewish Center is bringing a unique voice to speak at a Shabbat event starting on June 13 where attendees will hear from Myron Sugerman, the son of a Jewish mobster, who will share his experience as a former mobster and his adventures overseas.
Sugerman was born in 1938 in New Jersey and worked the family business, “coin-operated amusements,” according to his personal website.
Sugerman spent over half a century doing business around the world, including with the infamous Genovese and Gambino crime families, the Yakuza and more.
“It [the mafia] primarily flourished during the years of Prohibition because Jews were manufacturing wine that was needed for their rituals, and it was prohibited by a law, so they had to do it illegally,” said Rabbi Velvel Belinsky, head of the ARIEL Jewish Community Center.
Belinsky said that most people usually think of the Italian and Irish mafias, but that there was a substantial Jewish mafia for the first half of the 20th century.
He added that the business wasn’t exactly what a nice Jewish boy would be seen to be involved in, but outside of criminal activity, the Jewish mob of the early to mid-1900s was active in other ventures including fighting American Nazis and helping to establish the state of Israel.
“They were fighting the American Nazis every year that, unfortunately, the government was not doing anything about it back then before World War II. There were open Nazi demonstrations and displays. And Nazis were promoted in many parts of the U.S., officially. These mafia groups were trying to fight it. And they were generally fighting antisemitism, which, again, very often, unfortunately, the authorities would not do anything about,” Belinsky said.
Belinsky added that the mafia helped Israel immediately after it was founded by providing bullets and ensuring safe passage through waterways for shipping, among other actions.
Sugerman himself got the opportunity to work several missions for the famous Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal, such as the pursuit of “the angel of death,” Josef Mengele.
“Another remarkable part about our guest is that he was doing a lot of his mafia work overseas, and when he was in Europe, he got introduced to Simon Wiesenthal, who was a famed Nazi Hunter after WWII,” Belinsky said. “[Mengele] was the person who was firstly responsible for completely inhumane biological experiments in the camps, and he was personally responsible for torturing many Jews. And when it was discovered that he was in Latin America, I believe in Paraguay, our guest, Myron Sugerman, started pursuing.”
Belinsky said that Sugerman never got to catch Mengele, as the former Nazi died before being brought to justice.
Belinsky said that Sugerman has spoken at many other Chabad chapters previously, and the ARIEL Center decided to have him come speak on a recommendation.
He added that Sugerman attends a Chabad chapter in New Jersey that is run by Belinsky’s friend.
Belinsky said that when the event was announced, people were very excited to hear Sugerman speak, not only because of his fascinating life story, but also because of his deep Jewish connection.
“Another thing which is quite remarkable that Myron Sugerman always speaks a lot about is his Jewish pride, and how he made sure to always remain true to his Jewish identity and Jewish traditions throughout his life, no matter where he was, if it was Nigeria, Africa or Latin America,” Belinsky said. “It’s quite remarkable. Many people want to hear about that.”
Belinsky said that the attitude Sugerman brings is something they want people to see, as Jews live by the teaching that they are not to be embarrassed or deterred by those that would denigrate them.
He added that they are looking to highlight people who are supporting all different kinds of Jewish causes and fighting antisemitism, like Sugerman and the Jewish mob did nearly 100 years ago.
“I encourage every Jew to attend, and this is because they will be fascinated by the speaker, and they will learn a lot about Jewish awareness. They will strengthen their connection to their Jewish roots while hearing fascinating stories, and they will enjoy the company of this unique speaker,” Belinsky said.
