But They Were Good to Their Mothers: Jewish Gangsters in America - Bundle Eligible

This lecture delves into a seldom-covered aspect of the darker side of the immigrant experience: the rise and fall of Jewish gangsters who dominated crime from the 1920s until the end of WW2. Beyond exploring famous crime figures (e.g., Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky) and organizations (e.g., "Murder Inc.", "The Brownsville Boys"), we will learn about some lesser-known but fascinating characters such as Gangy Cohen, Waxy Gordon, Moe Annenberg, Longy Zwillman, and others. Although the focus is on the New York Metropolitan area, the lecture explores mid-Western gangsters such as the Purple Gang and Dave Berman, as well as Southern Florida. The subject is approached from sociological, psychological, and historical perspectives, attempting to understand the cultural drivers that created this group and ultimately led to its decline and integration into American society. Originally scheduled in Delray, this is now being presented at the Boca campus.

Helene Herman, a retired marketing executive with over 30 years of global experience, now lectures on a wide range of historical and cultural topics. Formerly President of a 400-member lifelong learning club in Florida, she draws on her anthropology degree from NYU to bring depth and insight to her presentations.

“Beautifully presented, with slides - and feeling!”- OLLI Patron

REGISTRATION CLOSED - But They Were Good to Their Mothers: Jewish Gangsters in America - Bundle Eligible - Boca Raton Campus

But They Were Good to Their Mothers: Jewish Gangsters in America - Bundle Eligible
Fee: $38.00
Item Number: F251474L1DT1
Dates: 12/9/2025 - 12/9/2025
Times: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Days: Tu
Sessions: 1
Building: Boca Raton - Friedburg Auditorium
Room: Room 102
Instructor: Helene Herman

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED. This class is already in session.

This lecture delves into a seldom-covered aspect of the darker side of the immigrant experience: the rise and fall of Jewish gangsters who dominated crime from the 1920s until the end of WW2. Beyond exploring famous crime figures (e.g., Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky) and organizations (e.g., "Murder Inc.", "The Brownsville Boys"), we will learn about some lesser-known but fascinating characters such as Gangy Cohen, Waxy Gordon, Moe Annenberg, Longy Zwillman, and others. Although the focus is on the New York Metropolitan area, the lecture explores mid-Western gangsters such as the Purple Gang and Dave Berman, as well as Southern Florida. The subject is approached from sociological, psychological, and historical perspectives, attempting to understand the cultural drivers that created this group and ultimately led to its decline and integration into American society. Originally scheduled in Delray, this is now being presented at the Boca campus.

Helene Herman, a retired marketing executive with over 30 years of global experience, now lectures on a wide range of historical and cultural topics. Formerly President of a 400-member lifelong learning club in Florida, she draws on her anthropology degree from NYU to bring depth and insight to her presentations.

“Beautifully presented, with slides - and feeling!”- OLLI Patron

Due to it's popularity, this program is being moved to the OLLI campus in Boca.

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