A History of Tough Jews

This episode of "Breaking History" discusses the historical and contemporary challenges faced by Jewish communities in protecting themselves against antisemitism, drawing parallels between the 1930s and the present day. The episode begins with examples of recent antisemitic incidents around the world, followed by a discussion of the rise of Nazi sympathy in America during the 1930s and the structural discrimination faced by Jews. It then recounts how Jewish gangsters, led by Meyer Lansky, took direct action against American Nazi organizations, offering a narrative of self-defense in the face of inadequate government protection. The episode concludes by reflecting on the assimilation of Jewish communities in America, the loss of a certain toughness, and the need to stand up against contemporary forms of antisemitism, advocating for active resistance against intimidation and violence.