Max Finkelstein
Encyclopedia
Max Finkelstein was a captain in the New York City Police Department
. As president of Shomrim
, a fraternal order of Jewish New York City
police officers, he became famous in 1938 when Fiorello H. La Guardia picked him to lead a special squad, whose job was to safeguard visiting officials from Nazi Germany
and guard the German consulate. La Guardia's decision to appoint Finkelstein and the other Jewish officers was likely inspired by a decision made by Theodore Roosevelt
, when he was New York City Police Commissioner
. When an anti-semitic preacher, Hermann Ahlwardt, decided to speak in New York, Roosevelt assigned 40 Jewish police officers to protect him, in an effort to make the preacher look "ridiculous".
The Nazis reacted to Finkelstein's appointment with anger. A photo of Finkelstein appeared on the front page of the Nazi newspaper Der Angriff
, which decried the choice of Finkelstein and the other Jewish officers as a "provocation" and wondered how Americans would react if their diplomats in Germany were placed under the protection of black policemen.
Finkelstein's experience guarding Nazi diplomats in New York served as the basis for a character in the 1939 Broadway play "Margin for Error" by Clare Booth Luce. The play was made into a film in 1943. The film was directed by Otto Preminger
and the Finkelstein character was played by Milton Berle
.
In 1940, after 29 "spotless" years with the New York City police, Finkelstein requested retirement. However, after being told "that he would be required to face charges of accepting irregular bail bonds", he committed suicide
.
The New York Times reported that 10,000 people "thronged the neighborhood" during Finkelstein's funeral. Finkelstein was interned in Montefiore Cemetery
in Queens.
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
. As president of Shomrim
Shomrim (fraternal police organization)
The NYPD Shomrim Society is a fraternal organization of Jewish members of the New York City Police Department.-NYPD Shomrim:The first Shomrim Society was established in the New York City Police Department in 1924. Capt. Jacob Kaminsky was the first president...
, a fraternal order of Jewish New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
police officers, he became famous in 1938 when Fiorello H. La Guardia picked him to lead a special squad, whose job was to safeguard visiting officials from Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
and guard the German consulate. La Guardia's decision to appoint Finkelstein and the other Jewish officers was likely inspired by a decision made by Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, when he was New York City Police Commissioner
New York City Police Commissioner
The New York City Police Commissioner is the head of the New York City Police Department, appointed by the Mayor of New York City. Governor Theodore Roosevelt, in one of his final acts before becoming Vice President of the United States in March 1901, signed legislation replacing the Police Board...
. When an anti-semitic preacher, Hermann Ahlwardt, decided to speak in New York, Roosevelt assigned 40 Jewish police officers to protect him, in an effort to make the preacher look "ridiculous".
The Nazis reacted to Finkelstein's appointment with anger. A photo of Finkelstein appeared on the front page of the Nazi newspaper Der Angriff
Der Angriff
Der Angriff was a German language newspaper founded in 1927 by the Berlin Gau of the Nazi Party.The newspaper was set up by Joseph Goebbels, who in 1926 had become the Nazi Party leader in Berlin, and the party provided most of the money needed to ensure publication...
, which decried the choice of Finkelstein and the other Jewish officers as a "provocation" and wondered how Americans would react if their diplomats in Germany were placed under the protection of black policemen.
Finkelstein's experience guarding Nazi diplomats in New York served as the basis for a character in the 1939 Broadway play "Margin for Error" by Clare Booth Luce. The play was made into a film in 1943. The film was directed by Otto Preminger
Otto Preminger
Otto Ludwig Preminger was an Austro–Hungarian-American theatre and film director.After moving from the theatre to Hollywood, he directed over 35 feature films in a five-decade career. He rose to prominence for stylish film noir mysteries such as Laura and Fallen Angel...
and the Finkelstein character was played by Milton Berle
Milton Berle
Milton Berlinger , better known as Milton Berle, was an American comedian and actor. As the manic host of NBC's Texaco Star Theater , in 1948 he was the first major star of U.S. television and as such became known as Uncle Miltie and Mr...
.
In 1940, after 29 "spotless" years with the New York City police, Finkelstein requested retirement. However, after being told "that he would be required to face charges of accepting irregular bail bonds", he committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
.
The New York Times reported that 10,000 people "thronged the neighborhood" during Finkelstein's funeral. Finkelstein was interned in Montefiore Cemetery
Montefiore Cemetery
Montefiore Cemetery, also known as "Old Montefiore Cemetery," is a Jewish cemetery in Springfield Gardens, Queens, New York.The cemetery is called by many names. It is known as Old Montefiore, Springfield, or less commonly just plain Montefiore....
in Queens.