Zwi Migdal - Influence of The Organization

Influence of The Organization

The organization had arms in several countries, and was a controversial presence in South America's Jewish community. It was a supporter of Yiddish theatre in Brazil, but was attacked by Jews in Rio de Janeiro for presenting Torah scrolls. A great number of Jews who had come to Brazil did so as families, and viewed prostitution as immoral and "impure" influences. Zwi Migdal's attempt to relocate to Rio, after events in Buenos Aires (discussed below), caused an increased battle against the group among Brazilian Jews.

In Argentina, the group's activities were at times used to bolster antisemitism, a use that also occurred in Brazil, where the Jewish community also often opposed the organization. More specifically the group was cited in relation to negative views of Eastern European Jews, who were at times seen as more prone to criminality and/or political radicalism within Argentine society, as opposed to German Jews. The Chilean Nicolás Palacios used their crimes in claims Jews "dominated" Argentina's women and were "polluting" that nation.