On Monday, September 19, Chabad of West Orange will host Myron Sugerman, who will lecture on the subject of the Mob and its support of the Jews. Sugerman will present a detailed, accurate description of the contributions that the Mob has made throughout history to the betterment of Jewish life. This lecture will dazzle attendees with details of the Mob’s impact on the American Nazi Party in the 1930s, as it disrupted the party’s attempts to rally anti-Semitic support here in the United States, and the Mob’s role in supplying money and weapons to the underground armies during Israel’s fight for independence.
“Myron Sugerman conveyed the history, struggles, personalities and impact of the Jewish Mafia in the most real, meaningful and relevant way. The challenge of the Brown Shirts in Newark, the ports and the Italian and Greek communities, not to mention looking after their fellow members of the tribe. Myron is the most masterful storyteller, a serious historian and a communicator par excellence! The audience left begging for more. It was one of the most stimulating and entertaining evenings of the decade,” said Rabbi Steven Weil, Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union.
“Myron Sugerman holds his audience’s attention, not only because of the overwhelming interest in his topic ‘Jews and the Mob,’ but because he is a natural born speaker. He reinforces the history in Warren Grover’s book, Nazis in Newark. The fact that he was an active participant in the story he tells gives him real ‘street creds,’” noted Linda Forgosh, Executive Director and Curator of the Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey.
“A few months ago, as President of the Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey, I had the pleasure of introducing Myron Sugerman to the best-attended program the Society has ever held at the Federation’s Whippany campus. Of particular interest was his recounting the story of the Mob’s fight in the pre-WWII days with the Nazi Bund and thereafter, its alliance with the Italian Mob on New York’s waterfront to ensure that clandestine shipments of arms and ammunition made their way out of port in support of Israel’s fight for independence. A lively question-and-answer session followed his presentation. Quite an evening,” continued Bob Rose, President of the Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey.
“Myron is a master storyteller. With his knowledge of the Newark Mob and its battle against the Nazis, he had the audience on the edge of their seats. No one wanted the presentation to end and when it did, Myron was mobbed by people praising him and asking questions,” added author Warren Grover.
The lecture is scheduled for Monday evening, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the new Chabad Center of West Orange, 401 Pleasant Valley Way. Reservations required for guaranteed seating. There is no charge for this event; however, donations are welcome. Reserve a seat by emailing [email protected].
