Author, Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Shultz, The Jewish Mob, A Family Affair
This week on Ira's Everything Bagel Podcast, Ira sits down with Alan Geik, the author of "Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Shultz, The Jewish Mob, A Family Affair" (published by Sonador Publishing). In this familial episode, Alan delves into the fascinating and sometimes dark history of his family’s connection to organized crime. He shares insights into the lives of his relatives, including his infamous "uncle" who was involved in the murder of Dutch Shultz, the notorious Jewish mobster. The conversation touches on crime, history, family dynamics, and the Jewish community's role in fighting antisemitism during the 20th century.
Writing About Family: Exploring the "Colorful" Histories
Alan Geik takes us through his journey of researching and writing about his relatives' involvement in organized crime. His book, "Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Shultz, The Jewish Mob, A Family Affair," offers a unique perspective on the pervasive influence of organized crime in the 20th century, especially within the Jewish community. When asked why he doesn’t feel conflicted about writing on this controversial topic, Alan explains that understanding the complexities of his family members who operated on the "wrong side of the law" was crucial for capturing their true essence.
In this episode, Alan describes how his "uncle" was dispatched to deal with Dutch Shultz, illustrating the deep connections and power wielded by Jewish organized crime figures. The podcast also explores the larger cultural and historical context of the era, revealing how these crime figures wielded their influence not just for profit, but also to combat antisemitism in society.
From Film Editing to Storytelling: Alan's Journey
Alan Geik is not new to the world of storytelling. Before writing "Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Shultz", Alan worked extensively in film and media. He has been a film and digital editor for Wide World of Sports and Paramount Pictures, bringing his deep understanding of narrative construction to his writing. Additionally, for 25 years, he was the on-air host of Afro-Cuban music programs on KCRW-FM and KXLU-FM in Los Angeles, showcasing his diverse interests and talents. His passion for music production also led him to produce the Grammy-nominated album, "Caravana Cubana: Late Night Sessions".
In the podcast, Alan reflects on his career in the media industry and how those experiences influenced his storytelling in his latest book. His ability to weave historical events with personal anecdotes creates a compelling narrative that sheds light on the intersection of family, crime, and society.
A Look at Jewish Organized Crime and Fighting Antisemitism
One of the most intriguing parts of this episode is Alan's exploration of the role of Jewish crime figures in combating antisemitism during the 20th century. Despite their criminal activities, these figures wielded their power to push back against discrimination faced by the Jewish community. Alan Geik discusses how this seemingly paradoxical use of influence was a response to the societal context of the time, illustrating the nuanced nature of his family’s story.
Through this discussion, Alan paints a vivid picture of the era, allowing listeners to gain a deeper understanding of how organized crime operated and its impact on the Jewish community. This aspect of his book is not just about recounting criminal activities; it is about recognizing the complexities of history, identity, and the fight for justice.
A Peek into the Book: "Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Shultz"
In "Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Shultz, The Jewish Mob, A Family Affair", Alan Geik brings to life the world of his family and their involvement in organized crime. He talks about his extensive research process and the surprising revelations he uncovered while digging into his family's past. This book is more than just a crime story; it is a detailed historical account that provides insight into the social dynamics of the era.
For listeners interested in history, crime, and family sagas, this conversation provides a compelling preview of what they can expect from the book.
You can purchase the book here to dive into the full story of Alan Geik’s family and their connection to the Jewish Mob.
Alan's Diverse Background: Music, Editing, and Academia
In addition to his writing, Alan Geik's background spans across various industries. His work as a film editor at major companies like Paramount Pictures and as a digital editor for Wide World of Sports highlights his ability to craft stories and convey complex narratives. His involvement in radio as the host of Afro-Cuban music programs on KCRW-FM and KXLU-FM further showcases his multifaceted interests.
As a producer, Alan was instrumental in creating the Grammy-nominated album "Caravana Cubana: Late Night Sessions," showcasing his passion for cultural and musical storytelling. His academic journey, including earning a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science, adds depth to his research skills and historical knowledge, which are evident in his book.
Exploring Alan's Previous Works
Before "Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Shultz," Alan Geik authored "Glenfiddich Inn," a novel set in the World War I-era in Boston and New York. This earlier work hints at his interest in historical contexts and complex characters, a theme that he carries into his latest book. His rich storytelling ability brings to life the cultural and familial elements that defined the early 20th century.
Alan Geik Podcast Episode Conclusion
In this episode of Ira's Everything Bagel Podcast, listeners get an exclusive glimpse into the fascinating world of Alan Geik and his book "Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Shultz, The Jewish Mob, A Family Affair." From his family’s history in organized crime to the broader implications of Jewish power in 20th-century society, Alan provides a thought-provoking discussion that leaves you wanting to learn more.
For those interested in crime history, family sagas, or the cultural impact of the Jewish Mob, Alan's book is a must-read. It offers a rare look into a world where crime, power, and cultural identity intersected in unexpected ways.
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Alan Giek Podcast Epsiode Full Transcript
Ira Sternberg: Welcome to Ira's Everything Bagel, where I talk with intriguing people about everything — their passions, pursuits, and points of view. My guest today is passionate about writing, specifically about his family and organized crime. Alan Geik is the author of Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz: The Jewish Mob, a Family Affair, published by Sonidor Publishing. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all the usual places. You can follow Alan Geik, that’s spelled G-E-I-K, on Facebook. And Alan, welcome to the show.
Alan Geik: Thanks so much for having me, Ira.
Ira: Well, your story has many threads, but it starts out with your then 12 to 13-year-old Uncle George and his lifetime co-conspirator Ruby Kolod, burglarizing a dry goods store in their Lower East Side neighborhood. Now the Las Vegas connection: 40 years later, Ruby is the president of the Desert Inn. He's the executive who demands that Howard Hughes leave the premises. He also becomes the man on the inside of the Desert Inn and the Stardust, standing in for Chicago and Cleveland crime bosses who were barred from Nevada casinos. That alone could be a book, but yours is much more, with a wider view of all this. That part intrigued me because of the time connection — where he started out and where he ended up. So how did you decide to go down this road of writing about your family and organized crime?
Alan: Well, it never occurred to me to do it. A couple of years ago, a few younger relatives — younger cousins, nieces, nephews — they knew of these people's existence, but they weren't born when those people were alive. They heard half-stories, and my sister, who’s an attorney and knew all the women and the men in this story, urged me to write something down. As I wrote it, my sister had all the photos of these people at bar mitzvahs, family events, and also there they are in the FBI documents with the FBI photos. So, I juxtaposed them in the book, which was sort of my own sense of bizarre humor.
Ira: Yes, which were the better photos — the bar mitzvah or the FBI?
Alan: Actually, the bar mitzvah ones, because the FBI ones look like you would expect: there’s Uncle So-and-So holding a card in front of him, and there he is at the party with his beautiful wife all dressed up in 50s bar mitzvah wedding outfits.
Ira: And an inmate number across his chest.
Alan: Exactly.
Ira: So, how did you conduct your research? As you mentioned, your sister, who’s an attorney, had a lot of photos, and you had some remembrances and storytelling passed through to you. But I’m sure your research became even more complex over time.
Alan: It did indeed. There were two tracks to it. One was our family history. My brother was also a detective in New York — a quote-unquote “elite detective” — who also got indicted for his involvement with organized crime. Between my brother, my sister, and I, we really checked these people's stories out. I had a good connection with their stories and their views of organized crime, which were very interesting. But also, I had to put it in a context for a book that wasn’t just a string of anecdotes. I started to do research. I have a bit of research history, and as I did it, I was amazed at how much they — not just them, but all the criminals of that generation — really built organized crime as what would later be a franchise business. There was an interconnection of all these families. We always hear about family this and family that and who had a piece of what. They all had pieces of everything. I never understood that when I was younger, but as I started later on, my brother and my father, who was very much involved in the Garment Center trucking because of his connections, it was clear that every family had a piece of different things, and that’s what made it so strong. When we hear about a commission and all that stuff, that was their appellate court. They didn’t go to court over who had which franchise in Miami and Cleveland. They went to the people they needed to go to. So, there were those two tracks of research: one personal and one looking through the mountain of research that’s been developed over the years.
Ira: You mentioned your background in research. Tell us a little bit about that. I know you were a film and digital editor and hosted some music programs at two stations in Los Angeles for more than 25 years. How did the research element play into that?
Alan: I have a master's degree from the London School of Economics. I did research there on things such as distribution of income and the development of third-world countries. This was way before the internet; no social media. I was used to going to the public library or the university library. I had a good sense of where to get information. More recently, I did research for magazines in 2008 about the financial crash and bank bailouts. So, I had familiarity with how to get to what I thought to be the end result of research.
Ira: What were your feelings about knowing that parts of your family were involved in organized crime? Did it conflict with your ethical standards?
Alan: No. When I knew these people, it was so normal. If I had to describe one word of growing up in that environment, it would be "normal." There were uncles and family members who were not part of that life too. They were part of the bigger family picture, but the ones involved in organized crime were more interesting to my brother, my sister, and I. We loved being around them, not because they were criminals, but because they had a certain sense of life. Ethics were not part of my thinking at the time. When I look back at it now, it was their life, and I wrote about it as dispassionately as I could.
Ira: I want to flesh this out a bit. You mentioned that even when they were operating 80 to 100 years ago, Jewish newspapers had a very conflicting attitude toward them.
Alan: Yes, they were just recently arrived from Eastern Europe, which was a nightmare for Jews, and that’s why so many came from 1880 to World War I. They loved that these men were going to be in the street to fight anti-Semites. But on the other hand, these same people were shaking down the dry cleaner on the corner, and people were indebted to them as loan sharks.
Ira: We tend to think of organized crime as primarily Italian. Can you give us a sense of how Jews got into that life and why they were often allies with Italians in crime?
Alan: In my view, the Italians and Jews go back 1,500 years before Christ when the Phoenicians were traveling the Mediterranean. They were Semitic people. After the Inquisition, many Jews went to Italy. When they came to the United States, they were both treated as lesser people. They came to cities often controlled by Irish, who had been there 50 years before. They gravitated toward each other. Another factor was that Italians had no sense of Jews being Christ-killers, unlike other groups. That brought them closer. During World War II, almost 80% of the Jews in Italy survived the war, protected by Italians.
Ira: You also write about your late father-in-law, Lou Lenart, the first fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force. He had been a Marine Corps pilot during World War II in the South Pacific. He was witness to Italian organized crime protecting Jews and the secret bases set up by the Israeli paramilitary group. Tell us more about that.
Alan: Yes, during World War II, the Italian and Jewish mobs teamed up with Navy intelligence to protect the coast. After the war, the Jewish paramilitary in New York teamed up with Navy intelligence. The U.S. and British governments didn’t want Israel to be a state at that point, but the people on the docks said, "No, we're sending all this stuff there," creating a huge network. My late father-in-law was stationed on these bases in Italy, protected by Italian mobsters who hated fascism. Lou didn’t know the name Lucky Luciano until he was on those bases. Later, they went to Czechoslovakia, bought some Nazi planes, refurbished them, and those became the first planes of the Israeli Air Force.
Ira: Amazing. I didn't realize that was the beginning of the Israeli Air Force. The title of your book is Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz. Tell us about your Uncle Charlie and who Dutch Schultz was.
Alan: Dutch Schultz was one of the big mobsters of the Prohibition era. He never fit in with the new idea of corporate organized crime, so they took him out. My Uncle Charlie was assigned the task of killing Dutch Schultz. To him, it was just another job.
Ira: How did you find out about the Las Vegas connection with Ruby?
Alan: I knew of the Las Vegas connection because I remember when they moved from Cleveland. They moved to Vegas because overnight gambling became legal. These guys who ran illegal casinos were now operating legitimate ones.
Ira: What was the biggest surprise you discovered in your research?
Alan: How organized organized crime was. They continually refined their organization. The other surprise was the interest in this subject. I wrote the book for my family, but when I went on social media, I found dozens of groups with tens of thousands of members interested in this history.
Ira: Well, that’s a great way to leave it. My guest has been Alan Geik, author of Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz: The Jewish Mob, a Family Affair, published by Sonidor Publishing. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all the usual places. Follow Alan Geik on Facebook. Alan, thanks for being on the show.
Alan: Thank you so much for having me, Ira.
Ira: And join us every Thursday for a new schmear on Ira's Everything Bagel.
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