Jews Consider Bernard Madoff

With overall outrage and reflection in the Jewish community over the Bernard Madoff scandal, the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research held a discussion: "Madoff: A Jewish Reckoning." Panelists included Columbia professor Simon Schama and hedge fund investor Michael Steinhardt, but based on the NY Times' report, it seems Mort Zuckerman, real estate and media mogul, provided most of the sparks. Zuckerman, whose charity lost $30 million with Madoff, didn't like the theme, "I do not accept this at all as a Jewish thing." Calling Madoff a "sociopath," he noted that Enron's Kenneth Lay was not called a “prominent Protestant energy fraudster" and "argued that no one since Julius Rosenberg, executed for espionage in 1953, had 'so damaged the image and self-respect of Jews.'" It's unclear if Zuckerman read the Newsweek opinion piece, "Uncle Bernie and the Jews" which argues that the upside of the scandal could be that Jews acts...less Episcopalian.

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By Jen Chung in News on January 17, 2009 6:02 PM

Comments [rss]

tingo

How about as a f*cking human being and not just as a 'jew.'?

Or are some people supposed to be more special than others?

MisterTissue

This is a sticky ground theologically, as by Jewish law, if you are born a Jew, you will always BE a Jew. If this had happened by a Catholic and to Catholics, you know he'd have been excommunicated! Sappy, non-punishing, non-hierarchical religions get their just due: the Jewish people are stuck with Madoff as one of their own.

ides_of_march

As long as nobody acknowledges any connection or relationship whatesoever between Islam and Muslim terrorists.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090117/ARTICLE/901170360/2055/NEWS?Title=_350_million_____gone

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune is reporting that investors in a Sarasota-based

hedge fund are likely out $350-million and the manager of the fund is

missing. "Fund principal Arthur G. Nadel, a prominent player in Sarasota's

jewish social and philanthropic circles, disappeared this week. His wife,

Peg, filed a missing person report with law enforcement after finding a

suicide note."

The Nadels were known for their civic activities, serving on boards and

donating money. They donated heavily to Jewish Family & Children's Services

and Girls Inc. all received cash gifts and pledges

Felix Hoenikker

Yet another argument for Atheism / Agnosticism.

tblake

As an (Irish catholic in heritage) athiest, I have to chime in and say that I agree with Mr. Zuckerman's opinion of the theme. Troubling, to say the least...

NannyState

...and would he be welcomed back at temple?

cphu

he loooks like an older Max Weinberg.

snoopydog

Interesting article written by a nice Jewish guy. One quote is "According to the never-dying anti-Semitic stereotype, Jews are above all financially astute, with a highly flexible sense of ethics, sharpies, operators par excellence." Then they keep wondering "Why us?"

So who from listeners here are going to the fire sale at Circuit City?

EastRiver

he noted that Enron's Kenneth Lay was not called a “prominent Protestant energy fraudster"

Maybe because Enron didn't intentionally and predominantly target Protestants as investors?

Rocknrope

Exactly right. When you obliterate Jewish not-for-profits such as the Eli Weisel Foundation and the Yeshaya Horowitz Foundation with your disgusting greed, not to mention all the "smaller" investors from the Jewish community and targeted as such, what do you expect?