The last Peruvian

Journal article

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In Journal Issue

Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, 19, 1 (2008)

Author(s) Robert Kaplan AbstractAbe Saffron, resident of Sydney, was notorious for his criminal connections and activities. The author Robert Kaplan looks into Saffron's background and dealings in the light of other 'Peruvians', a term used to denote Jewish criminal gangsters. These criminal gangs were active in parts of the new world to which Jews from Eastern Europe had migrated, such as America, South Africa and Australia. Opportunities for graft, prostitution, gambling, smuggling and similar illegal activities escalated during the Depression Era. In Australia Abe Saffron continued the 'Peruvian' tradition of bribery and corruption. Kaplan concludes that Mr. Saffron epitomised the Jewish tradition of using opportunities in the new societies despite the fact that the Jewish communities in Australia were very largely law-abiding and frowned upon this kind of opportunism.
Year2008
Pages86-97