It's time for Avi Shafran to step down in shame. This guy has come out and publicly praised Bernard Madoff it's truly sick. In his recent article he suggested that although Madoff stole billions of dollars from people and ruined peoples lives, caused people to kill themselves and caused tzedakah organizations to close, given that he admitted his guilt in court we should admire him for "doing tshuvah". On the other hand he said that Sully, the pilot that landed the plane on the Hudson should not be honored because he was only doing his job and saving his own life at the same time. This is so sick and twisted I don't even know where to start.

Let me first say that I owe a measure of thanks to Shafran it was his sick idiocies which caused me to first start this blog. I was hoping that these opinions were his own and were in no way related to the opinions of The Agudah or Moetzes, but when I called the Agudah office I was told that he speaks for both Agudah and the Moetzes and these opinions reflect their views. He says that he is "still unmoved by the pilot, and, at least somewhat, inspired by the penitent". Are you kidding me? I contacted a noted scholar on this and he pointed out that these views are the antithesis of everything that we as Jews have stood for for the last 5000 years. He said that if his way of thinking is correct then we should be celebrating Eisav and Yishmael who according to the medrash did tshuvah on their death beds and not celebrate Moshe and Avraham who were both "doing their jobs". I e-mailed Shafran and he responded that "There is, in fact, a reason why there was a Rabbi Yishmael in the Talmud, precisely because Yishmael's teshuva was considered (at least by RY's parents!) to have been meaningful. I am not suggesting that Bernie become a respected name bestowed at brissim these days, only that we might gain from not joining the chorus of utter contempt that has been poured on the disgraced businessman". This guy stole Billions from tzedakah and Shafran thinks we shouldn't join the corus condemning him, but instead we should direct our wrath at Sully who saved 155 people?

This guy needs to stop talking in the name of other Jews. If the Agudah had any guts they would send him packing immediately. As one charedi freind of mine pointed out to me "He wakes up in the morning thinking about how to get media face time so he says radical stupidity". But he speaks for Agudah and as a result his views are the views of "mid stream" charedim. These views are not Jewish nor do they represent our values. I wonder if Shafran would be singing the same song if Agudah lost Millions to Madoff or if he was on the plane? I am sure then his tune would be different.

I urge you all to e-mail him and tell him you repudiate his remarks tell him that if he has nothing constructive to say to keep his mouth shut. Call Agudah tell them that he is an embarrassment to Judaism and that they should immediately issue a condemnation of these sick remarks and that he should be replaced NOW. shafran@agudathisrael.org

UPDATE:

Shafran has issued a mia culpa of sorts. here it is:

Rabbi Avi Shafran Director of Public Affairs Agudath Israel of AmericaNew York - My recent Am Echad Resources essay “Bernie, Sully and Me” has generated substantial criticism from many readers, including people whose opinions I deeply respect. I have come to the conclusion that that there were errors in both the content and tone of the essay, for which I apologize.
My main goal in publishing these essays is to help people understand eternal Jewish truths. Unfortunately, here I chose unsuitable examples for the concepts I sought to impart, failing to accomplish that goal and offending many people in the process.

I am grateful, as always, for the constructive comments and feedback I received from my readership, whose confidence I hope to retain going forward.
Chag kasher visame'ach,
Rabbi Avi Shafran
Director of Public Affairs
Agudath Israel of America