Extremely Rare Letter From Meyer Lansky: The Most Famous Jewish Gangster of All Time

Meyer Lansky, born in 1902 in what is now Belarus, sought refuge from antisemitism, arriving in Manhattan in 1911. He reinvented himself from a little Jewish boy into the infamous ‘Mob Accountant,’ playing a pivotal role in the flourishing of the Jewish and Italian Mafia during Prohibition. Alongside Lucky Luciano, Lansky co-founded the National Crime Syndicate, significantly influencing organized crime across the U.S. and Cuba, and laying the groundwork for Las Vegas’s casino and nightclub empire.

Beyond his criminal activity, Lansky made significant, yet less known, contributions against antisemitism and in support of Israel. After Rabbi Stephen Samuel Wise’s request, Lansky actively disrupted Nazi operations in America, effectively diminishing their presence in New York.His financial support was also substantial; Lansky donated a million dollars to the Zionist cause in 1948, crucially influencing Israel’s War of Independence by hindering arms supplies to Arab countries and supporting Jewish settlers.

Lansky’s journey intersected with Israel in 1970 when he attempted to immigrate under the Law of Return, only to be denied due to his criminal history. Returning to the US, he faced legal battles resulting in a short imprisonment and was subsequently acquitted of all charges in 1974.
His story resonated with Yoram Sheftel, then a young Israeli law student. Sheftel, later becoming a controversial figure in Israeli law, championed Lansky’s cause for Israeli citizenship, even serving as Lansky’s lawyer between 1980-1981, advocating for his right to visit Israel.

This letter from Lansky to Yosef Sheiner, a respected figure in the Israeli Mossad and his close friend, is steeped in fascinating history. It offers a rare, personal glimpse into Lansky’s attempts to visit Israel, his interactions with Yoram Sheftel, and his profound, lasting connection to the Israeli state. The letter serves as a window into the complex identity and hidden motives of the most famous Jewish gangster of all time. To this day he continues to resonate in popular culture, evident in the numerous fictional characters inspired by him.