"The International Rabbinic Fellowship (IRF) expresses its deep
disappointment and dismay at the actions of Rabbi Michael Broyde, who
acted deceptively in order to join our organization and its confidential
listserv, which is a sacred and safe space in which our members can
share ideas and thoughts. These actions included submitting a fictitious
written application, as well as repeatedly lying in response to
inquiries made by IRF leadership and individual members. As a prominent
Dayan of the BDA, rabbi and posek, Rabbi Broyde’s actions are all the
more saddening and shocking. Honesty and yashrut must be the hallmarks
of all Jews and especially all who occupy positions of leadership in the
community."
Rabbi Michael Broyde
What stands out to me is that the IRF has absolutely nothing to say about Broyde's academic deceptions or his misuse of the space offered to him and all readers by blogs and other publications.
It is as if the only wronged party is the IRF and that all the others do not exist.
I don't see the IRF's statement in a good light. In fact, I think it simply reaffirms what I've come to believe: rabbis care about rabbis, and mostly care about themselves. The American idea (and ideal) of Christian service so often applied indiscriminately (and incorrectly) to clergy simply does not apply to them unless is is proved to on an individual basis.
With that thought, here is the IRF's statement:
IRF Responds to Rabbi Michael Broyde's Deception
The International Rabbinic Fellowship (IRF) expresses its deep disappointment and dismay at the actions of Rabbi Michael Broyde, who acted deceptively in order to join our organization and its confidential listserv, which is a sacred and safe space in which our members can share ideas and thoughts. These actions included submitting a fictitious written application, as well as repeatedly lying in response to inquiries made by IRF leadership and individual members. As a prominent Dayan of the BDA, rabbi and posek, Rabbi Broyde’s actions are all the more saddening and shocking. Honesty and yashrut must be the hallmarks of all Jews and especially all who occupy positions of leadership in the community.
We acknowledge Rabbi Broyde’s public apology to the IRF. At the same time we recognize the continued feelings of hurt and betrayal legitimately felt by some of our members who engaged with exchanges with Rabbi Broyde's fictitious persona. In addition to the general apology to the IRF as an organization, personal apologies are due to the specific individuals that he interacted with.
Prior to the formal incorporation of the organization, when the IRF lacked a formal membership committee, R. Broyde joined the IRF as a provisional member under an assumed name and participated in the closed listserve under that false name. In November 2009 following the adoption of our organizational by-laws and the formalization of our membership procedures, all members were formally vetted and their applications were re-evaluated. Suspicions arose regarding one particular name and whether it was a real person.
Vigorous efforts were made to contact that person and verify his identity but these were not successful. Subsequently, in 2010, that person was dropped from the rolls of the IRF and excluded from the listserve.
The membership application process since 2009 has included the requirement of submission of a semikha certificate and written references from rabbis known personally to the IRF leadership. We will reevaluate these procedures again at our upcoming conference in May to examine if other steps are necessary to further ensure the integrity of our membership process.
[Hat Tip: Shish.]