Jewish Values Reexamined

By Matt Creighton
Boston University

I always feel a sense of joy when an email from my former high school, Maimonides, appears in my inbox. Back in December, however, I received an alarming message from our board chairman. He reported that a substantial sum of money which the school had invested had suddenly disappeared into thin air, exacerbating the school's already shaky financial status. The cause of this disappearance was corrupt handling by a famous Wall Street investor. The writer of the email conveyed a state of such fury, disbelief and disappointment that he could not even mention the culprit's name.

Of course, he was referring to Bernard Madoff, the man who has caught the attention and rage of the entire country. The Maimonides school has not been the only victim of Madoff's brilliant-yet-illegal-and-totally-unscrupulous scheme. The Ramaz School in Manhattan, the Zionist organization Hadassah and such celebrities as Steven Spielberg and Elie Wiesel have all been affected by this disaster. Unfortunately, we must look at the larger and unintended consequences of Madoff's "Ponzi scheme."

First, if major Jewish and Zionist institutions are now crippled, then so is the nurturing of strong Jewish identity. It is these institutions which aim to mold cognizant and active Jews who will bring the faith into future generations. It is obvious that these organizations must be on solid financial ground to carry out this mission. Moreover, we must realize that the entire Jewish community is now a victim, for we must now deal with a tarnished image in the eyes of the world.

2008 certainly was not the best year for the Jews, as the Madoff scandal, the Gaza operation and the Agriprocessors Inc. debacle all severely damaged our image. One goal of the Jew in the modern world has always been to strive for a fair evaluation of his character. In light of these recent events, we must now work harder to restore our reputation. This "restoration of regard" can only come through continuing to live by our outstanding yet challenging ethical system.

The ethical code of the Jewish people transcends time and geography. If the Jew does not have his Holy Temple, he must have his ethics. If the Jew does not have his state, he must have his ethics. Our ethical code paradoxically connects us to all other peoples as well as distinguishes us from all others. The famous Jewish philosopher Abraham Geiger called this exceptionality "The Mission of Israel." Because of our unique system of values, the Jewish nation must act as a beacon of moral light and illuminate all other peoples of the world. While Madoff certainly compels us to reexamine our mission, we must never stop trying to fulfill our mission.

I do not expect apologia from Madoff, but I do expect apology. One of the most essential ideas of the Jewish faith is that of teshuvah, or repentance for one's actions. While I do not expect the Jewish community to welcome back Bernie anytime soon, some form of public admission of guilt would be the most appropriate move for him to make.

Justice is an idea which is not only applicable to Jewish law but extends as far back as Hammurabi's code. It is still absurd that Madoff has not yet spent one day in prison. When will Justice come? When will retribution be delivered? Let us cease this legal foot-dragging and ensure that real punishment is given.

Matthew Creighton is a sophomore at Boston University, studying English and Philosophy. He is a proud alumnus of the New England Region USY and frequently attends regional events to assist in teaching Sichot.

[Posted 4/23/09]