Louis Bernard Brodsky (December 25, 1879 – April 29, 1970) was an American magistrate in The Tombs court in New York City known for the acquittal of the six men involved in the anti-Nazi '' SS Bremen'' riot in 1935 and for a

progressive Progressive may refer to: Politics * Progressivism, a political philosophy in support of social reform ** Progressivism in the United States, the political philosophy in the American context * Progressive realism, an American foreign policy par ...

ruling regarding dancers and nudity in April 1935.

Background

Brodsky was born into a Ukrainian Jewish family on December 25, 1879, to Elias and Sarah Brodsky. His family immigrated to New York in 1881, where his father worked as an embroiderer. He graduated from the New York University Law School in 1900 and applied for U.S. citizenship on December 26, 1900, the first day he was eligible.''New York, U.S., State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1794–1943'' He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1901. His father died in 1924.

Career

Brodsky was mostly involved in commercial cases as a trial lawyer. He was named a magistrate in 1924 by Mayor

John F. Hylan John Francis Hylan (April 20, 1868January 12, 1936) was the 96th List of mayors of New York City, Mayor of New York City (the seventh since the consolidation of the five boroughs), from 1918 to 1925. From rural beginnings in the Catskill Mountain ...

. He filled an unexpired term and was reappointed to a 10-year-term by Mayor

James J. Walker James J. Walker may refer to: * Jimmy Walker (1881–1946), mayor of New York City, 1926–1932 * James J. Walker (American football), American college football player and coach * James John Walker (entomologist) James John Walker (16 May 1851, ...

. He retired in 1939. Brodsky was chairman of the National Hebrew Orphan Asylum, honorary president of the Hebrew Day and Night Nursery, director of the

Home of Old Israel The Home of Old Israel was a Jewish assisted living facility located in New York City. History The Home of Old Israel was originally conceived as a "Home for old men and women" for members of the Society of Khal Chasidim. A building was purchased ...

and Hebrew Orphan Home, and a trustee of the Israel Zion Hospital of Brooklyn, New York.

Personal life and death

Brodsky resided at 169 Ocean Drive West in

Stamford, Connecticut Stamford () is a city in the U.S. state of Connecticut, outside of Manhattan. It is Connecticut's second-most populous city, behind Bridgeport. With a population of 135,470, Stamford passed Hartford and New Haven in population as of the 2020 ...

, in August 1952. On August 25, 1952, he was hit by a car outside the railroad station in Stamford. He sustained injuries to his head, left hand, and left leg but was reported to be in good condition. Brodsky died at Mount Sinai Hospital in

Manhattan, New York City Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the List of co ...

, on April 29, 1970, at the age of 86. He resided at 465 Park Avenue at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife, Rose, a daughter, Mrs. Janet G. Frumberg, and a grandson.

1935 Rulings

Nudity case ruling

Brodsky dropped charges against Louise Wilson, 24, of 15 West 65th Street, Manhattan and Dorothy Sims, 22, of 450 West 150th Street, Manhattan. The two women were arrested by a policeman for indecency while performing before an audience of 101 men at a waiters' club at 80 Greenwich Street. Brodsky dismissed the women from court, saying "nudity is no longer considered indecent in uptown nightclubs and theaters." The women left the club without even a fan to cover them. Brodsky also released the 101 men who attended the performance who were detained at the police station overnight.

SS ''Bremen'' verdict

Brodsky's most noteworthy decision came in a case involving six men arrested during a riot which occurred on July 26, 1935. He freed five of the six individuals who tore the Nazi

swastika The swastika (卐 or 卍) is an ancient religious and cultural symbol, predominantly in various Eurasian, as well as some African and American cultures, now also widely recognized for its appropriation by the Nazi Party and by neo-Nazis. It ...

from the '' SS Bremen'' on account that their actions were justified, as Brodsky compared the Nazi emblem to a "

pirate flag Jolly Roger is the traditional English name for the flags flown to identify a pirate ship preceding or during an attack, during the early 18th century (the later part of the Golden Age of Piracy). The flag most commonly identified as the Jolly ...

". He refused an apology even though

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

newspapers and government officials demanded one. United States Secretary of State

Cordell Hull Cordell Hull (October 2, 1871July 23, 1955) was an American politician from Tennessee and the longest-serving U.S. Secretary of State, holding the position for 11 years (1933–1944) in the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ...

sent to Nazi Germany a note of "regret" for Brodsky's decision.Little Man, Big Doings
'' TIME Magazine'', September 23, 1935

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brodsky, Louis New York (state) lawyers 1879 births 1970 deaths New York University School of Law alumni People from Odesa Emigrants from the Russian Empire to the United States 20th-century American lawyers American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent American Jews American lawyers