The Award For The Worst Coverage Of The Balkany Scandal Goes To…

…The New York Jewish Week.

The Jewish Week has perhaps the worst reporting on Balkany scandal and other recent haredi scandals I've yet seen.

It reads like a bad Orthodox high school newspaper report, and it's missing key facts – like Balkany's membership in the Rubashkin family, his admission of guilt in the 2003 scandal, the fact that hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal grant money ended up in the personal or private business accounts of Balkany's family, and his attempt at extorting David Luchins. And that's an abbreviated list.

It also doesn't begin to touch on Rabbi Avi Shafran's repeated attempts at alibiing for haredi criminals and Agudath Israel's unwillingness to remove these criminals from its membership list – or even from its leadership list – or its refusal to confront rabbinic pedophilia.

Reading this article, you'd never know the Jewish Week broke many of the key stories about some of these crimes. In fact, you'd never know the stories had been broken at all.

The bar in Jewish journalism is set quite low, yet in this case the Jewish Week conspicuously fails to meet it.

The Jewish Week can do and has done far, far better work than this:

Orthodox Scandals Could Harm Power Base, Experts Warn
Adam Dickter • New York Jewish Week

In the wake of recent scandals involving local Orthodox Jews, some sociologists think there could soon be a backlash against the political power of what has long been one of the most sought-after voting blocs.

“Situations like this have a cumulative effect,” said William Helmreich, a professor of sociology at City College and director of the Center for Jewish Studies at Queens College.
“No one knows when the tipping point will come — if it hasn’t already been reached — that people will simply conclude that Orthodox Jews are just generally more likely to have a general disrespect for government and to engage in shady practices,” Helmreich said.

The past year has seen the arrests of five Orthodox rabbis, including the chief rabbi of the Syrian community, on various corruption charges by the United States attorney in New Jersey; fraud charges against money manager Ezra Merkin as an accomplice to Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff; the sentencing of West Side gabbai Chaim Regensberg to eight years in jail for his own $11 million Ponzi scheme and the conviction of kosher meatpacking king Sholom Rubashkin in Iowa on 86 fraud charges.

These prosecutions come as Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes has launched a program to encourage victims to report pedophilia cases to law enforcement. Hynes has long been considered by advocates for victims of sexual abuse to be protective of the Orthodox community and reluctant to press cases against rabbis and teachers there.

And last week came the arrest of a politically prominent Borough Park rabbi, Milton Balkany, on charges of wire fraud and extortion.

Rabbi Balkany is accused by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of soliciting a $4 million payoff from a Connecticut hedge fund by warning the fund’s directors that a federal inmate he counsels claims he has evidence of illegal trading at the fund.

Although he has retained a prominent defense lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, Rabbi Balkany has been outspoken in his own defense since the arrest, appearing on an Orthodox radio program, “Talkline,” Saturday night and giving interviews to the blog Vas Is Naiz and The Jewish Week.

“My intent was 100 percent pure,” he said on Tuesday. “I was trying to get someone out of jail. These people were in a lot of trouble and tried to sacrifice me on the altar.”

Rabbi Balkany said prosecutors took “very ugly excerpts, picked and chose and twisted” words to incriminate him. He insisted that one of the two checks totaling $3.25 million he collected was for naming a building after the man in charge of the hedge fund. “There was no personal benefit,” he insisted.

Noting that a previous federal case against him in 2003, alleging misappropriation of a government grant, ended without an indictment, Rabbi Balkany said, “This situation is not any less outrageous than that.”

Mitchell Moss, director of the Center for Urban Policy at New York University, said the perception of corruption in the Orthodox establishment could make politicians “more alert as to whom they are dealing with. The problem is that what we are seeing may not be new, but it means they are being caught. We are discovering that spiritual values can mask criminal behavior.”

Moss said that despite what should be the public presumption that the misdeeds of a few are not representative of an entire community, the Orthodox community has to demonstrate that it is policing itself.

“The Orthodox community has to be alert to the behavior of its rabbis, because the rabbis are now really undermining the community. A handful of crooked rabbis can undermine the legitimacy of the vast majority of observant and law-abiding, ethical rabbis.”

Likening the situation to Catholic priests who brought scandal to the Church because of a significant pedophilia problem, Moss said, “Everyone knows that [the rash of recent prosecutions] are not reflective of the vast majority, but these are the ones who get the attention. So it’s essential for the Orthodox rabbinical organizations to monitor their own members, but the problem is they don’t. It’s a highly decentralized, autonomous system.”

Marvin Schick, a consultant on Jewish education and commentator on Jewish life, said that Orthodox rabbinic organizations regularly speak out on ethics issues. But he said unlike rabbinic boards in other countries, those here have limited power.

“In America they don’t have the leverage,” said Schick. “The [Rabbinical Council of America] speaks out forcefully against wrongdoing, but more than that they can’t do.”

When asked if he thought the level of illegal behavior among Orthodox Jews was of a proportion similar to other groups. Rabbi Avi Shafran, a spokesman for Agudath Israel of America, said it was hard to say without sociological data.

“What I do know is that meticulous honesty is a fundamental ideal of Judaism,” he said. “Any falling short of that ideal in the Jewish community, statistically significant or not, is lamentable. And it’s particularly lamentable when it occurs in the part of the community that strives to meticulously observe Jewish law.”

Schick said that although Orthodox criminals may be “more visible, I wouldn’t say the Orthodox percentage is any higher than the percentage of other Jews and other people.”

But Helmreich said that given the emphasis on morality in Orthodox life, the standard should be higher. “If you claim the moral high ground, you must be better, not just not be worse.”

As to the potential fallout on political influence — politicians being reluctant, for instance, to court the Orthodox vote — Rabbi Shafran said “any corruption, and even the appearance of corruption, has the potential of having negative impact on the community’s public image. I can only hope that the community’s many shining examples of honesty, integrity and charity, although they don’t generally make the front pages, will be recognized by others.”

Helmreich, who is author of a book about racial and ethnic stereotypes, “The Things People Say Behind Your Back,” said one reason why scandals involving Jews, particularly the Orthodox, gain prominence in the media is because they are so prominent in American life, and typically play roles of agents of change.

“They are overrepresented among activists for social justice and charity,” he said. “They are supposed to be leading pious lives. When they do something wrong there is a sense of ‘these annoying do-gooders are far from perfect.’”

Queens College sociologist Samuel Heilman, who has written studies of Orthodox life, said the perception that scandal stories arise often enough that “you can leave out the details with names of the particular yeshiva and the amount, and later fill in the blanks” was likely related to economic stress.

“You’re talking about a community that has a growing population, a large part of which isn’t gainfully employed, in an economy that’s downturning,” said Heilman. “This is not going to change unless the structure of the community changes. I suspect that more politicians are going to be more careful than they have in the past.

“The economic downturn sort of brings these people out of the woodwork,” Heilman continued. “When there isn’t a lot of money people tend to find new ways of prying it loose.”

Rabbi Shafran conceded that financial stress could be a corrupting influence.

“As to factors contributing to whatever criminal activity there may be in the community,” he said, “one can certainly point to things like the economy, the societal emphasis on material goods and the great financial pressures, in even the best of times, of living an observant Jewish life. But challenges, in the end, are meant to be overcome, and so factors are not excuses.”

It becomes easier to commit a crime, Heilman added, if the proceeds are ostensibly for a good cause, such as supporting a yeshiva or poor people. “Ill-gotten gains for something that has a higher purpose can be used to justify the behavior,” he said. “‘I’ll take dirty money and make it clean.’”

Heilman said recent prosecutions likely stem from a greater ability to make inroads and gain information from within the community. In the New Jersey arrests, one man who turned on his community is reportedly the informant who provided information leading to the arrests of the five rabbis and dozens of other people, who became an informant to keep himself out of jail. Such information in the past would have been extremely difficult to come by given the traditional halachic scorn against one who informs to secular authorities.

Likewise, an increasing number of sex abuse prosecutions in Brooklyn’s Orthodox community are attributed to a growing sense that such informing is essential, in light of the generally poor record of community leaders and institutions policing the problem of pedophilia from the inside.

“The Orthodox community is better understood now than it once was,” Heilman said. “In the past it was only researchers and writers who talked about the Orthodox,” he said, pointing out the closed nature of the community.

Today, bloggers inside the Orthodox community along with sexual abuse victims and their advocates continue to reveal new potential cases of abuse. The revelations, in turn, are seen as exerting pressure on the Brooklyn DA’s office to prosecute such cases more aggressively.

But Heilman said any bad publicity may not soon translate to politicians giving up their forays into Orthodox communities for photo ops with grand rabbis, a route that has been taken by candidates from the local, district level to statewide and even national candidates.

“I suspect there is still a need for iconic figures,” he said. “They may be more circumspect and check a particular rabbi more than they have before. But there is still no alternative to having pictures taken with an Israeli official or a rabbi with a long beard to say I support Jews.”

David Luchins, a board member of the Orthodox Union and professor of political science at Touro College, said he found it hard to believe Rabbi Balkany could be guilty of prosecutors’ allegations.

“While I’ve had my own run-ins with him in the past, and I’m certainly not a fan of his politics, it’s hard to believe someone so intelligent and capable would so something so incredibly stupid. I hope and pray the charges are proven wrong.”

He added that the Orthodox role in the city’s power structure was not likely to be threatened.

“As long as people need access and as long as candidates need campaign contributions and as long as segments of the city need access, there will always be people providing these services, hopefully in a legal fashion.”

Comments

[leto]

The point here is that there is a great likely hood of a child being sexually abused in a chardie cheder this is actually true as I know from what happened to my own children. In fact met the world's greatest expert on making mikvaot and sat with him for a few hours going over his new book on mikvaot with him and my chavruta. When he discovered the sexual abuse in the Yerushalaim mikvaot he was ostracized.
What ever loathsome satanic behavior rabbis do they will always blame it on the victims.
Clearly something is wrong with Orthodox Judaism as it is understood and practiced today. This is not just a matter of random individuals that have some problem. There is a spirit the Sitra Achara dark side in Orthodox Judaism today and some people are starting to notice.
I want to say however I don't think this is from the Talmud. I don't think Orthodox Judaism represents accurately the Talmud or the Rambam. I DONT BLAME THE PROBLEMS ON THE TALMUD OR HALACHA IN ITSELF. But clearly there is a deep set spiritual evil that is embedded in Orthodox Judaism today.
I have thought perhaps it is some permutation of the shabatai zvi affair that permuted into chasidut and the hashkafa of chasidut has become the sole world view of Orthodox Judaism today. Jews that believe and follow the Guide for the perplexed of the rambam are in general strictly Reform. If one would open almost any page of "The Guide for the Perplexed" and quote it in an orthodox shul or yeshiva he would be branded automatically as a kofer. (The story of Creation in Genesis is an allegory?)So while I don't want to take the "guide" as the sole authority I can see how the approach of the rambam might be a bit more healthy and wholesome. (My problems with the guide are basically that it is based on Aristotle and therefore by definition any problems with Aristotle are problems in the guide)(Personally I go with a Leibnitz Gödel approach to things with consideration of kant's paradoxes. Where Reform went wrong was an unfortunate infatuation with existentialism and post modern nonsense) Looking at Reform's infatuation with really downright dumb philosophers, I can understand why a young Jew would go to the Talmud for guidance. but this allowed them to fall into the hands of satanic sadistic orthodox rabbis unknowingly.

[harold]

I thought that the article was well written. I have always liked Adam Dickter's work. The fact that Mr Dicker did not blow Jewish Weeks's own horn as to their role in previous stories does not detract from what he wrote.

[Hometown Postville]

"But clearly there is a deep set spiritual evil that is embedded in Orthodox Judaism today." Good insight, leto.
This evil is permeating more than just Judaism. Anytime mortal man assumes more power within a sect(Rabbis, Priests, etc..)followers begin to play by THEIR rules, THEIR interpretations. This manipulation of biblical text feeds the "control" frenzy. The "word" and those who preach and police their version becomes the idol,not God. Pedophilia is a self-centered pleasure; fanatical disrespect of women is a control issue, also ego-centered. Satan loves it when relationships are in conflict. And these days, with all the fraud, extramarital affairs, and vices that tempt people to compromise their integrity and relationship with God, Satan is gloating.

[critical_minyan]

Balkany was not really the focus of the article. It was more an overall survey of criminal rabbis and how it will affect politicians who pander to the orthodox vote.

if you expect every article about the rubashkin/balkany family to list their rap sheet first, every article will be too long for publication.

I think the article makes a good point that if politicans cater to rabbis now, it might blow back in their face.

[Yerachmiel Lopin]

I agree with critical_minyan with a qualifier. Yes the article was mostly about the dynamics driving the crime problem rather than Balkany. However Dickter should have mentioned the nature of the evidence. The indictment is out there and it is pretty damning reading.

Critical_Minyan, I loved your line:

"if you expect every article about the rubashkin/balkany family to list their rap sheet first, every article will be too long for publication."

[critical_minyan]

thanks buddy.

[PulpitRabbi]

Different scoop, from YNET: J'lem court: Man who murdered daughter not responsible for his actions

Legal proceedings against Nachman Inshin, who slammed his infant daughter against the floor halted; court orders he be admitted to psychiatric hospital ... "This was a tragic incident. The district psychiatrist ruled that (Inshin) is not fit to stand trial. The court accepted his opinion and ordered that the father be hospitalized. This marks the end of the case. Despite all the pain, we are talking about a man who is mentally unstable," said Attorney Lavi.

It should be noted that a previous psychiatric evaluation, commissioned by Israel Police, determined that Inshin was fit to stand trial.

Sure, the story is tragic. It would be nice, however, to have a more in depth report on how the police found him fit for trial, while the court psychologist disagreed. How common is that? Is there a red flag?

[harold]

Out of curiousity - who was the winner?

[harold]

It would be nice, however, to have a more in depth report on how the police found him fit for trial,

Maybe the police were not qualified to make that determination. Maybe they held up three fingers and asked him "how many fingers am I holding up?" when he said "three" then they said, ok you are fit for trial.

[Mr. Apikorus]

If I were Scott, I'd give the award to the NY Times for its article on Jorge Torres Puello Whatever His Name Really Is for not mentioning his harediness.

Surely the NY Times writers read the stuff posted here about how Jorge Torres Puello Whatever His Name Really Is is an Orthodox Haredi Jew, and that anyone who is skeptical is an "idiot" and in my case a "Nazi." Thus, by failing to bow and scrape to Scott Rosenberg, the Czar of Journalism, they must be presented with the award of Worst Journalist in History.

Adam Dicker, eat your heart out.

[effie]

PulpitRabbi: That is extremely disturbing. It's unheard of in my experience to have one evaluation by one psychiatrist determine that charges will be dismissed. These normally are highly contested issues. It's not like psychiatry is an exact science and case law is filled with boneheaded decisions by psychs resulting in murderers being set free only to murder again.

[effie]

Harold: The police have their own or contract out to psychologists.

[Shmarya]

If I were Scott, I'd give the award to the NY Times for its article on Jorge Torres Puello Whatever His Name Really Is for not mentioning his harediness.

Surely the NY Times writers read the stuff posted here about how Jorge Torres Puello Whatever His Name Really Is is an Orthodox Haredi Jew, and that anyone who is skeptical is an "idiot" and in my case a "Nazi." Thus, by failing to bow and scrape to Scott Rosenberg, the Czar of Journalism, they must be presented with the award of Worst Journalist in History.

Adam Dicker, eat your heart out.

The Times basically mentioned Puello had defended himself on blogs – i.e., here and Bastardette – but did not mention either blog by name.

This is typical for the Times.

Past that, to mention the synagogue letter, the Times would have needed to cite me or get the synagogue's rabbi to answer questions. If he refused – which is likely – the Times has no other to mention it other citing me. And the Times almost never cites bogs, no matter how worthy.

[Josh]

I agrre with Harold and thought the article was well written

[Hippochondriac]

To illustrate the amateurish nature of the Jewish Week, the author writes "the sentencing of West Side gabbai Chaim Regensberg to eight years in jail..."

If I am not mistaken, people do not get sentenced to jail. Jail is a holding facility for individuals who are under arrest and are being remanded pending trial or the conclusion of a trial.

Once "sentenced", a person is sent to prison (not jail). Only until about the age of eight did I confuse Jail with prison. I am embarrassed to see an author do the same.

Please note that in the article Rabbi Balkany is quoted as making the same mistake when he says “I was trying to get someone out of jail."

[Successful Messiah]

Scotty, you are outdoing yourself. Two moronic posts two days in a row. The article was not about Balkany and to address the issues you noted would have been completely off topic. I suggest that you retitle your rant to read "Boo Hoo, Jewish Week didn't write the article Scotty wanted them to write."

[avrohom]

Why not call Obama a scamer? Scaming tax payers for trillions.Rabbi Balkany at least ends up giving it away for zadaka, and for payroll for his limping girls schoolwhere 50% dont pay tutions and he has his police of no kids left behind, Rabbi balkany has never sent home or refused a child access to the school because of money. You want to scream? scream at Obama.

[Chamor im daas]

Avrohom, did you notice that the Agudah supports Pres. Obama in his campaign for reform of Health Care Financing? The one scamming us are the mafiosi in the health "insurance" companies which exist only to insure their own profits.

[Bill]

avrohom,

I'll tell you what. We make you defense attorney for Balkany, and you tell that to the judge and jury.

[Chayim]

Rabbi Balkany will win this one because its the government that entrapped him. As far as the Jewish week rather WEAK, is a biased rag against religious jews. Its only a matter of time before they go broke but I do read it in my bathroom so I can keep up with the enemy. They are always praising gay marriage and knocking chareidi lifestyles. If you go to the gay synagouge thay announce each week how many of them droped dead of AIDS but in the chareidi synagouges they rattle off a long list of new born babies. CHAREIDI POWER NUMBER ONE.

[Flabush Poppa]

what a bunch of whiners here - just logged on to snoop - forget about it I'm outta here! It's no wonder everyone in my very with-it shul in Flatbush admits this site rrrreally sucks big time.
SO great you went after the damn pedophiles I hear - that I can give you credit for all day long - but this garbage about why or if Adam @ JW wrote and what words were used. ppppppolease do us a favor - wrap it up! Adam is a pro compared to this nonsense.
ANd I note this whole anti-rubshkin motifs here - I mean grow up and go after real issues.
bye bye and the door ain't never gonna heat me on my behind!

[Buy generic viagra]

The Jewish Week has perhaps the worst reporting on Balkany scandal and other recent haredi scandals I've yet seen. It reads like a bad Orthodox high school newspaper report, and it's missing key facts.

[Generic Viagra]

if you expect every article about the rubashkin/balkany family to list their rap sheet first, every article will be too long for publication.

[Generic Viagra 100mg]

Wonderful? I am bowled by your level of understanding on the knowledge. I am so fascinated and I believe you are marvelous at your work. Keep writing… I love reading your write-ups

[auto insurance companies]

I readed some news of New York jewish week about the balkany scandal.it was full of lies and misleading reports.They should be more conscious about what they are reporting.

[ranch real estate]

did you see that the Agudah supports Pres. Barak in his marketing campaign for change of Medical care Financing?

[elleila]

Worst coverage of that scandal!? Why is there a need to say that it has to be awarded to anyone?! I am wondering.