The arrest of a Jewish businessman whose alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme drained the finances of private investors, philanthropic foundations and banks has prompted an outpouring of anti-Semitic comments on mainstream and extremist Web sites.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said that the public comment sections of highly trafficked news sites, blogs, and financial message boards that have featured material on the scandal surrounding Bernard Madoff and his investment firm are filled with anti-Semitic comments, mostly from anonymous users.
Site users have posted comments ranging from deeply offensive stereotypical statements about Jews and money — with some suggesting that only Jews could perpetrate a fraud on such a scale — to conspiracy theories about Jews stealing money to benefit Israel. These and other anti-Jewish tropes have appeared on popular blogs devoted to finance, in comment sections of mainstream news outlets and in banter among users of Internet discussion groups.
“Jews are always a convenient scapegoat in times of crisis, but the Madoff scandal and the fact that so many of the defrauded investors are Jewish has created a perfect storm for the anti-Semites,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “Nowadays, the first place Jew-haters will go is to the Internet, where they can give voice to their hateful ideas without fear of repercussions.”
“Blogging and social media sites are changing the way people communicate their reactions to events in the news and interact with each other,” said Mr. Foxman. “More people are online than ever before, and many more Web sites offer users the ability to comment immediately and anonymously. Those who harbor anti-Semitic beliefs feel most comfortable expressing themselves in cyberspace, where they can provoke a reaction from others or find like-minded individuals to affirm their beliefs.”
Popular news sites in New York and Florida – the two epicenters of the Madoff story – have seen their share of anti-Semitic posts since the scandal broke. At one point the comment section of The Palm Beach Post featured numerous anti-Jewish posts (subsequently removed by the site’s administrators); other high-traffic sites with anti-Semitic posts have included the comment-enabled sections of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Forbes, New York Magazine, the New York Post, and Israeli web sites of Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post.
Examples of anti-Semitic postings include:
*”The greed and corruption of the Jews has brought the financial system and the American economy low.” – post by “jeanrenoir”.
*Ho hum, another Crooked Wall Street Jew. Find a Jew who isn’t Crooked. Now that would be a story – anonymous post.
*One Jew thief robs another bunch of Jew thieves – I suppose that’s what you’d call a victimless crime. I suppose if he’d not robbed his fellow Jews – and robbed us poor gentiles it would’ve been absolutely kosher, eh?” – post by “XDFXDFXDF”.
*”Nice he could manage to send money to Isreal (sic) and pass the losses on to US investors.” – post by “cbmiked”.
*”Just another jew money changer thief. It’s been happening for 3,000 years. Trust a Jew and this is what will happen. History has proven it over and over. Jews have only one god – money.” – post by “Adolf”.
*Madoff is “another Jew banker … The Sec is filled with Jewish gatekeepers who routinely turn a blind eye to jewish financial bandits … It’s no conspiracy that the Jews are the source of all the financial troubles in the world.” – post by “Thieving B”.
(Dov Gordon – YWN)
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33 Responses
Ghat’s what happens when Jews,frum or otherwise,cause a chillul Hashem by our behavior. The goyim and secular Jews look for excuses to “prove” how bad we are and now we see how outsiders see us. They don’t judge us as individuals.We do the same when it comes to being discriminatory about others,even towards Jews of other backgrounds. Those of our people who dress distinctively Jewish must learn to behave better so that we can continue to be a “light unto the nations” as Chanukko arrives.
Though this is and should be quite disturbing, our job is really to make sure that we stay OUT of the scandal news! Try not to give the media and the general public reasons to talk about jews. Here’s my question though, it seems that most of the people who lost money were jewish people too. Why does that bother the typical anti semite?
Unfortunately, some of the anti-semitic comments are accurate. How many of us here in Lakewood are on programs that we really aren’t zoiche to? How many of us perceive gains from tois akim as acceptable? How many of us actually LIED on bank loan applications? How many of us have facilitated fraud to benefit a relative learning in koilil? The goyim aren’t stupid. All they have to do is look around! If you think I’m wrong, see the rambam in issurei bea, that in every kehila roiv yidden are ganovim. Now the cat is out of the bag.
It’s not limited to the Internet. Listen to the radio. Scary stuff.
I think that most of the talk about Anti-Semitism (in this & other cases), is mainly incited By Jews. The fear of what the Goyim say, Ma’avirim Adam Al Da’ato!
By talking about it, like right now in this article, “we” attract more fire; Either fire that was already there… &/or fire that will spark out of this kind of discussions.
So Sad. This was bound to happen. People, try hard to make a Kiddush Hashem out there in the big world. It’s our only hope…
What do people expect to happen on the internet? Between what the State of Israel is known for and the crimes of Madoff, are they supposed to shower us with love and kisses? What’s the matter with people?!
Does anyone know the profundity of “meharsayich u-machrivayich mimech yetse’u”??
it’s sad to some of you justifying antisemitism. Yes, what has happened is a big chillul Hashem. But you seem to be saying that if scandals didn’t happen these individuals wouldn’t feel hatred towards Jews. Open a history book. We’re hated when we’re rich. We’re hated when we’re poor. We’ll be hated when we steal; we’ll be hated when we don’t. People who write these anti-semitic comments felt this way before the Madoff scandal, and they would feel this way if it never happened. This scandal simply gave anti-semites support for their beliefs. I don’t really believe it changed any views. If there was never in history a financial scandal involving a Jew, I bet these people would write the same thing. The solution is only to bring Moshiach.
Why oh why is it always the Jews? Have not we learned our lesson already? We do not have any friends out there and we are always judged on a higher standard than everyone else.
Like it or lump it the reality is that we are a Chosen People so therefore we are always judged and held to a higher standard. Why oh why is it always the Jews………
That is really an unfair thing to write. There are many ehliche yidden who don’t cheat or lie on anything including their taxes or bank loans. The only thing is that they do not make the headlines-B”H. There are always rotten apples in every barrel. It’s unfair, and frankly-anti-semitic, for you to say that all or most or even many of us are ganavim.
“Unfortunately, some of the anti-semitic comments are accurate. How many of us here in Lakewood are on programs that we really aren’t zoiche to? How many of us perceive gains from tois akim as acceptable? How many of us actually LIED on bank loan applications? How many of us have facilitated fraud to benefit a relative learning in koilil? The goyim aren’t stupid. All they have to do is look around! If you think I’m wrong, see the rambam in issurei bea, that in every kehila roiv yidden are ganovim. Now the cat is out of the bag.”
Eisev Sonah L’Yaakov.
Ich bin ein Berliner (#3): SPEAK FOR YOURSELF
agree we should all try to make a kiddush hashem….but…could this be the start of something?… more than just a scandal.
#3 If you want to give MUSSAR go to BMG and Klop Ois Oif Der Bima In Shrai Chai V’Kayum, BUT dont come her and do that, You are making a chillul Hashem which Yom Kippur is not M’Chapeir.
to #3 Ich bin ein Berliner
Wether your point is correct or not for my comment, it makes no difference.
Do you realize that lots of people read this blog, and your comments?? Do you realize how stupid it is to post such comments??
Think before you write!
The one blessing, if you can call it that, is that Madoff isn’t frum. You can be sure of this because if he WAS frum, we would be hearing no end of it, like with the lobbyist Abrahamov.
I wonder if the conservative movement is going to propose an “Hechsher Tzedek” for investments proffered by non-religious Jews?
those who hate the jews will hate them even if they are honest.look how the whole world honors the mafia. and even in the old days people loved jesse james and others like him.those of you who know anything about hollywood know they usually glorify dishonest people.
The USA is still a malchus shel chessed with no equal. Anti-semitic comments may be on the rise. And that’s certainly not good. However, in any other Country there would be pograms.
Let’s not forget. They don’t hate for a reason. They look for reasons to hate. But let’s not play into thier hands.
Please, let this be a lesson to all yidden to be extra good & be a good example – especially when doing business or dealing with every life (shopping, etc). When someone is outwardly religious, he/she is a Jewish ambassador to the world and held to a higher standard.
It really pained me to find out that a Jew did such a tremendous and outrageous sin such as Madoff; however, perhaps this happened to remind us all how NOT to act and to really be a light onto the nations in this Chanukah holiday.
Ich bin ein Berliner – I find your statements to be despicable. I would even go so far as to question if you come from the Erev Rav. You are certainly over Mozei Shem Rah, perhaps Lashon Horah as well, and possibly Malshin!
A Jew doesn’t talk like you. Take a look at KAJ WH TIDE for an example of how a Jew writes.
As far as your quote of the Rambam, you obviously don’t understand it and based on your outlook on things I’m sure we could catch you in the act.
Madoff’s action is certainly a tremendous Chillul Hashem, but he definitely does not represent Rov Klal Yosroel (especially the B’nei Torah).
May I suggest that all Jews do more Talmud Torah, more davvening and more deeds of kindness.
A goy,
Gerry Mullen
Riverside, NJ
I am afraid this will only get worse. There are more arrests to be made in the coming weeks and, they are probably more jews.
סוף גנב לתליה
devorahle – Most of what you say is correct. However, the fact is that people can be influenced to hate. Yes, those that wrote those nasty things about us were already Jew haters before hand. However, let’s not underestimate the incitement towards resentment and hatred that it will stir in those that read them.
To Ich bin ein Berliner, #3. Sorry, but there’s no such Ramba”m. The hailiger Ramba”m doesn’t misquote Gemaras. What the Gemara does say is that רוב גנבי ישראל which means that most thieves are Yidden, NOT that most Yidden are thieves.
All of the commentators are correct. BUT we still have to be on our best behavior,especially when it comes to money and business. Thats where the lousy Goyim,are more critical with us than with other topics. I know from experience(as other business owners)as a boss that you must treat the goy fairly,and honestly in money matters to make a kiddush hashem. Although,they will still find some way to criticize you. But at least you tried.
To#3
אל תגידו בגת,אל תבשרו בחוצות אשקלון
פן תשמחנה בנות פלישתים פן תעלוזנה בנות הערלים
I have written to the editors of some financial websites with these anti-semitic comments, asking them not to allow their websites to become a forum for anti-semitic commets, and have had the comments successfully removed. I would like to ask everyone to do the same when they see these comments. It may not change the fact that a massive chillul Hashem has occured, but we do not need to publicize it. On chanuka we are supposed to publicize nissim to increase Hashem’s glory in the world, not the opposite.
slandy – What Gemora are you quoting?!
The only Maamer I ever saw says,
קצטתם בגניבה, רובן בתאווה, וכולם בלשון הרע
“some steal, most in ilisit relations, and everybody with Lashon Harah”
What this means is that some people transgress the issur of stealing (in some form or another, for instance stealing an others sleep), most transgress issurim regarding tzinus (for example, even staring at a woman is an issur), and everybody transgresses Lashon Horah (Chazal teach this to mean Avak Lashon Horah [an issur d’rabanan], not mamash Lashon Horah [an issur d’oraisa]).
BTW – the gemorah there is not talking only about Jew, but rather “even Jews” are subject to these challenges.
To say that most Jews are thieves or most thieves are Jews is historically and factually inaccurate!
I don’t know who you are or where you live [and don’t want to either], but I’ve NEVER lived in a community where I have not found Religious Jews whose complete honesty has not incredibly impressed me. People that go WAY beyond the call of duty.
I live in a community where merchants leave a lot of valuable merchandise outside overnight and NO-ONE touches it. THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN A GENTILE COMMUNITY!!!! NEVER!!!!
I once went into a shop in Geula and wanted to buy a present for my parents [I was leaving Israel the next day]. There was a clock there that I liked (embroidered with Hebrew letters) and asked the price. It was 75 shekels and I only had 50 on me. The guy who never saw me before said, “so pay me 50 today and the other 25 tomorrow.” That in itself was amazing to me, but when I told him that tomorrow I was leaving to America he said the following amazing comment, “So come tomorrow before you leave and if you don’t have time, are you coming back next year? Yes… So bring it when you come back.”
Rabosei, that would NEVER EVER happen amongst the goyim! YOU ALL KNOW THAT TO BE TRUE! EVEN THE GOYIM KNOW THAT TO BE TRUE!
The claims of Jews being crooks is just a reflection of themselves! Anybody, ANYBODY that checks into it will EASILY see the honesty of B’nei Torah! Not all, but certainly the majority!
Now a personal story about Goyish societies. I once had a dead battery and went to the nearest gas station (it was across the street from my car) and asked to borrow a jumper cable. Even after I offered to leave my wallet (with drivers license and credit cards) with him until I returned the cables he still refused. It wasn’t until the local Rabbi walked by, saw that I was distraught and interceded for me (the gas station person knew the Rabbi) that I was able to borrow the cable.
Think about it. At the time cables cost about $10. My wallet, drivers license, and credit cards were worth more than that. Non-the-less, being that he had been burnt in the past by dishonest goyim, he didn’t trust me as well.
Only when you live in a community where the majority of people are VERY honest can you have stories like the prior ones.
“The majority of thieves are Jewish”? WHAT ABSOLUTE NARISHKITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zevullun – Very well done! Thank you for your excellent advice! 🙂
WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP! The Madoff scandal isn’t causing this Anti-Semitism. These people think and feel this way ALL the time, about EVERY Jew, R”L. Madoff is just an excuse, a justification for being open about what they really think. Have we seen such things when the person accused in the long list of other scandals was Irish, Scotish whatever???
Don’t be fooled.