They were known as the “Jewish Mafia” or the “Kosher Nostra” – four Jewish individuals with criminal expertise who captured the attention of tabloids and law enforcement across the United States:
Among them were Meyer Lansky, Arnold Rothstein, Benjamin Siegel, and Louis “Lepke” Buchalter, each with their own notorious reputation in the world of organized crime.
Before these figures gained infamy, there was Fredericka Mandelbaum, a German immigrant mother of four who rose to become America’s first major organized crime boss in the mid to late 1800s.
Standing at 6 feet tall, with a robust stature and a unique sense of style, Mandelbaum became a prominent figure in the criminal underworld of New York City.
Her criminal activities included a daring bank burglary in 1869 that netted her a substantial sum, solidifying her reputation as a formidable crime boss.
Author Margalit Fox delves into Mandelbaum’s intriguing story in her book, “The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss,” shedding light on the life of this enigmatic figure.
Arriving in New York as an impoverished immigrant, Mandelbaum’s journey from rag peddler to crime boss is a fascinating tale of ambition and cunning.
Her partnership with seasoned criminals and her involvement in various criminal enterprises solidified her reputation as a mastermind of the underworld.
Despite her eventual downfall and escape to Canada, Mandelbaum’s legacy as one of America’s pioneering crime bosses remains etched in history.
Her story serves as a testament to the ingenuity and audacity of a woman who defied societal norms to carve a place for herself in the annals of organized crime.
