Madoff's alleged misdeeds spark feelings of betrayal, outrage in L.A.'s Jewish community – Los Angeles Times

by rabbifink on December 24, 2008 · 2 comments

Madoff’s alleged misdeeds spark feelings of betrayal, outrage in L.A.’s Jewish community – Los Angeles Times.

This LA Times article actually encompasses the points I made yesterday in my post about a similar NY Times article.

Except there are still some Jewish elitists who “disown” Madoff (the first “Rabbis” mentioned in the article”). Rabbi Adlerstein and Harriet Rossetto echoed my sentiments of learning from the incident and Madoff’s opportunity for Tshuva.

Rossetto even goes so far to say that maybe Madoff is the messenger teaching us to redefine our values. That is a good approach. That is a healthy approach.

Divorcing ourselves from Madoff by saying “Madoff does not represent the Jewish people, not even remotely” is useless and inaccurate. Firstly, no one represents the Jewish people, we each represent ourselves. Secondly, that kind of disownment is not our place as humans and fellow Jews. He is still a Jew and yes he made mistakes but haven’t we all?

Related posts:

  1. In Madoff Scandal, Jews Feel an Acute Betrayal – NYTimes.com
  2. Mr. Miller (and me) In The Baltimore Jewish Times
  3. Matza in the NY Times and In Our TImes

Tagged as: chillul hashem, getreal, holier-than-thou, madoff

  • milt simon

    I am Bernie Madoff. I want everyone to prosper. I believe every one of my investors blessed me every night before he/she went to bed and after they counted their 20% dividend checks. They counted on me, and I never let them down, Until now. So please forgive me, i did good, wanted to make everyone happy, and do mitzvahs through the charities i supported. can you blame me? regards, bernie

  • Pingback: Which Of These is the Nobel Peace Prize Winner? | Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi

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