Insight
Remember
When • • •
charges against Rich were "no
source of concern."
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
"Marc Rich is a well-established
Jewish philanthropist and has given
New York
to many Jewish causes and I'm
xactly two weeks before a
pleased
he's chosen to give to
controversial last-minute
Birthright as well," said Steinhardt.
presidential pardon made
(Steinhardt is chairman of Jewish
him a household name in
Renaissance Media, the owner of
the United States, Marc Rich was sit-
the Detroit Jewish News.)
ting in the VIP section at a mega-event
Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, direc-
for Birthright Israel in Jerusalem.
tor of a project that aims to get
Surrounded by thousands of
"Jewish institutions to examine
young, primarily North American
Jewish values in accepting money,"
Jews on free trips to Israel, Rich, one
describes Rich's prominence in
of 14 people who have pledged $5
Jewish philanthropy as a "serious
million to the program, was appar-
problem" and says the Jewish com-
ently moved to tears.
munity "needs to stand for values
"He loves Israel. You could see that
and ethical business practices."
he was so turned on being there,"
"We are not helping" if Jews take
said one Birthright official who sat
money from someone accused of
near him at the event.
violating the law or exploiting peo-
Rich, a commodities trader who fled
ple and "restore that person's good
the United States during an investiga-
name without that person doing
tion that led to a 1983 indictment on
teshuvah," he said, using the
51 counts of tax evasion, racketeering
Hebrew term for repentance.
and violating sanctions against trade
Reuven Kimelman, a Judaic stud-
with Iran, was one of 140 peopl par-
ies
professor at Brandeis University,
doned by President Clinton on Jan.
said
Jewish organizations "promote
20. That means he will be able to
their
cause by saying we're doing
return to the United States without
something ethical," but also have to
fear of criminal charges for allegedly
weigh the good a large gift can do,
evading $48 million in taxes.
even if its donor raised funds in a
His lawyers have argued that he
potentially unethical manner.
was the victim of overly zealous pros-
Others argue that, other than a few
ecutors, but many critics linked his
high-profile cases involving people
pardon to the fact that his ex-wife,
accused of illegal activities, most situa-
President Clinton accepts a saxophone from
Denise Rich, is a major Democratic
tions where a donor's ethics or propri-
Denise
Rich
as
Senator-elect
Hillary
Rodham
fund raiser.
ety are questioned are not clear-cut.
Clinton,
D-NY,
applauds
at
the
G6P
In addition to raising questions about
It is also not clear how one should
Foundation
Angel
Ball
in
New
York
on
Nov.
Clinton's judgment, the case puts an
apply relevant Jewish texts, said
30.
Rich
is
a
co-founder
of
the
foundation.
uncomfortable spotlight on the many
Rabbi Saul Berman, director of Edah,
Jewish and Israeli causes, like Birthright
a modern Orthodox organization.
the dilemma Jewish institutions find
Israel, that Rich supported.
The
Talmud says one is not allowed
themselves in when faced with donors
Indeed, a recent New York Times
to
accept
contributions from a prosti-
of questionable reputation.
article noted that the list of people
tute
when
building the Temple because
Despite some related texts in the
who wrote letters supporting Rich's
receiving
such
money "would be
Talmud and Bible, ethics in fundrais-
pardon is "a virtual Who's Who of
approval
of
the
behavior through which
ing is an issue around which there is
Israeli society and Jewish philanthro-
the funds were earned," Berman said.
little
consensus
in
the
Jewish
world.
py." Rich has given to a variety of
"A moral dilemma emerges about
Rich's best-known beneficiary
major institutions in Israel, including
how
far one should carry that particu-
among American Jews is Birthright
Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Ben-
lar
model,"
said Berman.
Israel, an international organization
Gurion University, the Israel Museum
"Is
this
specific
to prostitution? All
that has sent approximately 17,000
and the Jerusalem Foundation.
forms
of
criminal
activity?
Non-criminal
young Jews on free trips to Israel since
Rich also helped to bring dozens of
activity?
Just
the
Temple
or
all institu-
its trips began last year. The program
Jews from Ethiopia and Yemen to
tions?
Only
when
an
institution
is a
Israel, Avner Azoulay, a former Mossad has been widely praised for sparking
teaching institution? Is it different when
Jewish
interest
among
a
largely
unaffil-
agent who runs Rich's foundation in
an institution simply supports the poor?
iated group.
Israel, told Israeli media.
"All are line-drawing questions
Michael Steinhardt, a hedge funds
Efforts to reach Rich and Azoulay
that
need to be struggled with,"
manager-turned-philanthropist who is
were unsuccessful.
Berman
said. ❑
The case also revives questions about one of Birthright's founders, said the
JULIE WIENER
E
From the pages of the Jewish News for
this wo?k 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50
years ago.
1991
Allen Olender of West Bloomfield
set up a local chapter of Chaverim
International, an umbrella organiza-
tion of Jewish amateur radio groups.
Jews in West and East Germany
favor reunification as being in their
best interests.
King Juan Carlos of Spain
expressed interest in visiting Israel,
which would be the first visit by a
Spanish head of state.
Yitzhak Shamir was appointed for-
eign minister of Israel.
Two Arab terrorists were sen-
tenced to life imprisonment for
killing three Israelis in Nahariya.
The Holland Honey Cake Co. of
Holland, Mich., came under the
supervision of the Metropolitan
Kashruth Council.
Detroiter David I. Megdell, court
officer to Circuit Judge Papp, was
admitted to the Genessee County Bar.
Herman Roth returned to Detroit
after 13 years to become sexton of
Congregation B'nai David.
Lee L. Schostak of Southfield joined
the Michigan Air National Guard.
An amendment to the Italian penal
code pnlvided jail sentences for those
who commit anti-Semitic actions.
The Israel Ministry of Education
issued a circular to schools ordering
instruction to promote pupils'
understanding of all religions.
The Zionist Council of
Johannesburg decided to set up a
commission to study the problems
of financing the growing Jewish day
schools in South Africa.
The Lt. Raymond Zussman
Memorial Library was dedicated at
the Jewish War Veterans Memorial
Home on Davison in Detroit.
Danny Raskin was elected presi-
dent of the Abraham and Anna
Raskin Family Club.
—Compiled by Sy Manello,
editorial assistant