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Fort Lauderdale, FL - Alleged Ponzi Schemer Rothstein, A Generous Contributor To The Orthodox Community |
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Photo Courtesy of Downtown Jewish Center Chabad
Madoff lured Jewish friends at the Palm Beach Country Club to be investors in his Ponzi scheme, and when his fraud collapsed, Jewish charites lost hundreds of millions of dollars. It's not yet clear how Rothstein's scandal will impact Jewish investors.
One thing is obvious: Rothstein's imprint on the Fort Lauderdale Jewish community is indelible, and very visible. The chabad center on Broward Boulevard 
bears his name -- The Rothstein Family Downtown Jewish Center Chabad.
​Rothstein, who has referred to himself as the "Jewish Avenger," was clearly a generous contributor to the Orthodox chabad. He's even featured in photos of the chabad's grand opening party.
But he's not the kind of donor people are eager to embrace at the moment. When the Juice called the chabad's Rabbi Schneur Kaplan to inquire if Rothstein's name would be removed from the building, the answer was short and polite: "It would be inappropriate for me to make any comments at this time," Kaplan said.
Here's hoping Kaplan knows a good lawyer.
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Fort Lauderdale, FL - Report: Others Might Be Involved in Alleged Ponzi Scheme By Prominent Lawyer
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Read Comments (36) — Post Yours »
1
Nov 04, 2009 at 01:30 PM Anonymous Says:
i did not see this chabad center on the oficial chabad web site. chabad.org
2
Nov 04, 2009 at 01:33 PM Lawyer Says:
In the early 20th century, there was a famous bank robber named Willie Sutton. After he was caught and went to jail, he gave an interview to a reporter. The reporter asked, "Mr. Sutton, why did you rob banks?" Answered Willie, "Because that's where the money is!"
There are a lot of older, wealthy Jewish retirees in South Florida. Not surprisingly, they are the target for crooks and swindle artists of all kinds. One should keep in mind that while the scoundrels involved in these financial crimes are often (though not always) Jewish, so too are their victims often Jewish.
3
Nov 04, 2009 at 01:19 PM Anonymous Says:
is he shomer shabbos?
4
Nov 04, 2009 at 01:07 PM Anonymous Says:
maybe he can hang out with rubashkin in the slammer.
5
Nov 04, 2009 at 01:01 PM Oh no! Says:
Are they going to have to return all the money they got from him? Thats a big loss to chabad. Nebach they keep getting hit lately.
6
Nov 04, 2009 at 02:03 PM response to #3 Says:
Are you asking if he is walking around dressed as an orthodox Jew, or if he dutifully keeps the Shabbos from sundown to nightfall? Because the 'Shomer Shabbos' part (where if you keep Shabbos correctly , its as if you keep kol ha Torah kula, would not apply if indeed the allegations of him stealing money are true.
If he is parading around as an orthodox Jew, I would imagine the chillul Hashem is greater; although with a last name like Rothstein, anybody can make a good guess as to his religion.
I know a guy whose teacher told him if the guys were planning on speeding, they should at least remove their yarmulkas first. this teacher was not condoning speeding, only saying that if they were to break the law, they should not also embarrass their brethren.
7
Nov 04, 2009 at 02:15 PM formally Says:
it seems many people who are involved in scamming, try to buy their way into heaven by giving their illicit gains to charity in a very flashy way.
Maybe chabad and others should due diligence take big money, and return it if the money was stolen.
8
Nov 04, 2009 at 02:47 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Are they going to have to return all the money they got from him? Thats a big loss to chabad. Nebach they keep getting hit lately. ”
I doubt they would have to return all of the money. For example, the money spent on the building in reliance on believing it was a valid donation is probably safe. If there is money he gave that hadn't been spent as of the date his fraud became public, that might have to go back. Indeed, Chabad probably would want to give it back.
9
Nov 04, 2009 at 02:29 PM Anonymous Says:
It's not unusual for ganovim to donate huge sums to Yeshivas, Shuls, etc.. and to have their names put on the buildings. Maybe it takes away some of their guilt about how they got the money.
10
Nov 04, 2009 at 02:13 PM Anonymous Says:
Nah he was a secular guy who threw money around to all charities.
11
Nov 04, 2009 at 03:00 PM formally Says:
“ I doubt they would have to return all of the money. For example, the money spent on the building in reliance on believing it was a valid donation is probably safe. If there is money he gave that hadn't been spent as of the date his fraud became public, that might have to go back. Indeed, Chabad probably would want to give it back. ”
Chabad probably would want to give it back.
now that would be a kiddush hashem
12
Nov 04, 2009 at 03:04 PM Anonymous Says:
“ maybe he can hang out with rubashkin in the slammer. ”
You must be a rotten human being, it doesn't matter if Rubashkin is guilty or innocent, but for you to write such a comment & wishing for a Yid to go to prison is beyond me, I really wonder if you have a jewish soul in you, should I tell you what it says in Chazal- Seforim about someone like you? I think its a waste of time, but to give you a hint, you might find yourself in the slammer much sooner.. grow up & do Teshuvah for your own well being. I hope you have no wife & kids..
13
Nov 04, 2009 at 03:33 PM Experience Says:
What happens often is much worse than a person who assuages guilt by giving charity. Sometimes as in the S. case several years ago and the R. case last year, a person found his victims by becoming a macher in a charity or several synagogues and yeshivos. Then he asked people who were his fellow board members to join him in a fabulous new investment, and used his contributions to the charities as evidence of his prior successful investments. When the investments collapsed, the donors to these mosdos were therefore disproportionately hurt, and the community institutions took a serious hit.
14
Nov 04, 2009 at 03:13 PM Anonymous Says:
chilul hashem!
may he be locked behind bars for good
15
Nov 04, 2009 at 03:59 PM Anonymous Says:
“ You must be a rotten human being, it doesn't matter if Rubashkin is guilty or innocent, but for you to write such a comment & wishing for a Yid to go to prison is beyond me, I really wonder if you have a jewish soul in you, should I tell you what it says in Chazal- Seforim about someone like you? I think its a waste of time, but to give you a hint, you might find yourself in the slammer much sooner.. grow up & do Teshuvah for your own well being. I hope you have no wife & kids..
”
You are no better than #12, your post was just as vile as his.
16
Nov 04, 2009 at 03:56 PM Anonymous Says:
“ What happens often is much worse than a person who assuages guilt by giving charity. Sometimes as in the S. case several years ago and the R. case last year, a person found his victims by becoming a macher in a charity or several synagogues and yeshivos. Then he asked people who were his fellow board members to join him in a fabulous new investment, and used his contributions to the charities as evidence of his prior successful investments. When the investments collapsed, the donors to these mosdos were therefore disproportionately hurt, and the community institutions took a serious hit. ”
very interesting !
In my experience, I have found a few "ba'al tzedakas" - gave millions to various institutions, then got busted for fraud. usually these people have a very low self esteem, which they enhance by making a lot of money (in any way possible) and then giving a lot of tzedaka. Either they go broke, because their source of income dries up (people find out who they really are, or G-d just takes away their parnosa)..... or they are busted by the feds. One or the other.
But generally, look out for those baalei tzedaka.... sometimes all is not as it appears to be.
17
Nov 04, 2009 at 04:37 PM Hello? Says:
not that it matters much, but Schneur Kaplan is not authrorized to use the Chabad name in his activities, which is why his center is no longer listed on the Chabad website.
18
Nov 04, 2009 at 04:08 PM Jewish Girl Says:
“ maybe he can hang out with rubashkin in the slammer. ”
What a vulgar and revolting comment. I am sure your parents are proud.
19
Nov 04, 2009 at 04:07 PM Anonymous Says:
“ You are no better than #12, your post was just as vile as his. ”
I respectfully disagree. if I will have the time I will give you a lengthy explanation which will be backed by the words of Chazal etc. I just ask for your patience. Thanks!
20
Nov 04, 2009 at 04:06 PM lishma Says:
“ You must be a rotten human being, it doesn't matter if Rubashkin is guilty or innocent, but for you to write such a comment & wishing for a Yid to go to prison is beyond me, I really wonder if you have a jewish soul in you, should I tell you what it says in Chazal- Seforim about someone like you? I think its a waste of time, but to give you a hint, you might find yourself in the slammer much sooner.. grow up & do Teshuvah for your own well being. I hope you have no wife & kids..
”
this is interesting you are lecturing a person who didnt do any wrong other then you dont like what he wrote well let me tell you that to steal money from others who earned it with their honest and hard work is despicable to say the leat you #12 should do tshuva i am ashamed of yiddin like you who dont give a dammn about the person from whom the money was stolen this is the lowest i have ever come across
21
Nov 04, 2009 at 06:36 PM chaim ber Says:
for the record! there are two chabad centers in ft laudedale! Both the shlichim come from Gezair lubavitch@ JJ hecht, Gutnick and Kaplan. Just not the offical shluchim! nonmishcstim!
Chabad rules!
22
Nov 04, 2009 at 07:26 PM Anonymous Says:
“ maybe he can hang out with rubashkin in the slammer. ”
I understand you get the kick out of writing nasty comments, and hoping to get some people mad. Well, Its unfortunatly a disorder that you suffer, which result that you lack attention like a child, do yourself a favor and go seek special help immediatly. the earlier you go for help the better your chances of success are. I think the treatment you will get is covered by medicaid. I wish you a speedy recovery, just stay strong and you will get out of it..
23
Nov 04, 2009 at 07:22 PM Anonymous Says:
“ for the record! there are two chabad centers in ft laudedale! Both the shlichim come from Gezair lubavitch@ JJ hecht, Gutnick and Kaplan. Just not the offical shluchim! nonmishcstim!
Chabad rules! ”
Is that really the case? Maybe they just set up shop without signing up for the franchise. If you do that in any other business, you would be prosecuted in a court of law.... but Chabad just de-lists them.... which I think is very nice of them. No legal action, just confirmation that they are not under the official Chabad umbrella, and therefore Chabad The Organisation should not be blamed for anything that happens to or as a result of their actions.
24
Nov 04, 2009 at 07:20 PM Anonymous Says:
When these people give charity they are not giving away there own money therfore it is much easier for them to give.
25
Nov 04, 2009 at 07:05 PM Anonymous Says:
“ this is interesting you are lecturing a person who didnt do any wrong other then you dont like what he wrote well let me tell you that to steal money from others who earned it with their honest and hard work is despicable to say the leat you #12 should do tshuva i am ashamed of yiddin like you who dont give a dammn about the person from whom the money was stolen this is the lowest i have ever come across ”
Someone who steals according to the Torah, he has a Chiuv of "Vehaishiv Es Hagzailo" its a terrible sin, but why wish this poor man prison?
26
Nov 05, 2009 at 08:10 AM cool masmid Says:
“ You must be a rotten human being, it doesn't matter if Rubashkin is guilty or innocent, but for you to write such a comment & wishing for a Yid to go to prison is beyond me, I really wonder if you have a jewish soul in you, should I tell you what it says in Chazal- Seforim about someone like you? I think its a waste of time, but to give you a hint, you might find yourself in the slammer much sooner.. grow up & do Teshuvah for your own well being. I hope you have no wife & kids..
”
Thank you - I hope he takes your words to heart, although I have the feeling he won't. Its the likes of #4 and others who are the root of all of the tzoros of klal yisroel. What a disgrace you are. And just as an aside even with all your hatred you should be able to see a clear difference between the two people that you mentioned- for a # of reasons.
27
Nov 04, 2009 at 10:54 PM Elchonon Says:
“ Is that really the case? Maybe they just set up shop without signing up for the franchise. If you do that in any other business, you would be prosecuted in a court of law.... but Chabad just de-lists them.... which I think is very nice of them. No legal action, just confirmation that they are not under the official Chabad umbrella, and therefore Chabad The Organisation should not be blamed for anything that happens to or as a result of their actions. ”
So when one opens a shull, they need to apply at the sanhedrin / anshei keneses hagedolah?
28
Nov 04, 2009 at 08:09 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Is that really the case? Maybe they just set up shop without signing up for the franchise. If you do that in any other business, you would be prosecuted in a court of law.... but Chabad just de-lists them.... which I think is very nice of them. No legal action, just confirmation that they are not under the official Chabad umbrella, and therefore Chabad The Organisation should not be blamed for anything that happens to or as a result of their actions. ”
There are several centers run by lubavitch rabbis that are not official "chabad houses." Often they will use a name other than "Chabad House." I've been told that sometimes its because of the nepotism system. The top chabad rabbi in a state doesn't permit new houses to open in areas without one because they are saving that area for a son or future son-in-law. Sometimes chabad centers are not on the official website because the chabad houses have to pay to be on the site. Still, most of these unofficial chabad houses do great work and in practice are no different than the official ones.
29
Nov 04, 2009 at 05:36 PM awacs Says:
Perhaps they are a mushroom (=unofficial chabad house not sanctioned by the official chabad org, usually they are meshichists.)
30
Nov 04, 2009 at 07:55 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Is that really the case? Maybe they just set up shop without signing up for the franchise. If you do that in any other business, you would be prosecuted in a court of law.... but Chabad just de-lists them.... which I think is very nice of them. No legal action, just confirmation that they are not under the official Chabad umbrella, and therefore Chabad The Organisation should not be blamed for anything that happens to or as a result of their actions. ”
oh??? so Chabad is a Business franchise???? nice to hear that. Now how about someone opens a Breslov shul or an ashkenazik shul they NEED to be listed some where to be considered legit???? give me a break.
31
Nov 04, 2009 at 05:37 PM Anonymous Says:
“ it seems many people who are involved in scamming, try to buy their way into heaven by giving their illicit gains to charity in a very flashy way.
Maybe chabad and others should due diligence take big money, and return it if the money was stolen.
”
There is no feasible way to do due diligence on every donor. What are you going to do - spend thousands and thousands to hire price waterhouse to audit all the donor's business practices and finances? You say to the donor I want to audit you to see if your money is good enough? They say fine, I'll give my money elsewhere.
32
Nov 05, 2009 at 01:02 PM ALL is not as it appears to be Says:
“ very interesting !
In my experience, I have found a few "ba'al tzedakas" - gave millions to various institutions, then got busted for fraud. usually these people have a very low self esteem, which they enhance by making a lot of money (in any way possible) and then giving a lot of tzedaka. Either they go broke, because their source of income dries up (people find out who they really are, or G-d just takes away their parnosa)..... or they are busted by the feds. One or the other.
But generally, look out for those baalei tzedaka.... sometimes all is not as it appears to be. ”
Unfortunately, you are 100% correct - there is a guy in my neighborhood who got a big name as a "gevere" but then "lost" everyones money in one investment (something with sattlelite TV stations) In this case, there was a THIRD option - this IPO NEVER happened and his partner just kept all the gelt !!! People were mamash ruined ....
33
Nov 05, 2009 at 02:44 PM Anonymous Says:
“ You must be a rotten human being, it doesn't matter if Rubashkin is guilty or innocent, but for you to write such a comment & wishing for a Yid to go to prison is beyond me, I really wonder if you have a jewish soul in you, should I tell you what it says in Chazal- Seforim about someone like you? I think its a waste of time, but to give you a hint, you might find yourself in the slammer much sooner.. grow up & do Teshuvah for your own well being. I hope you have no wife & kids..
”
Very well said I agree with you 100%. It was a disgusting statement. R' Sholom Rubashkin is not guilty and iy"h will not go to the slammer.
34
Nov 05, 2009 at 07:12 PM Anonymous Says:
Chabad is not a business, but it does have the right to choose who can represent it and the Rebbe. Rabbi Kaplan's center is not officially recognized as a Chabad Shliach (not because of this matter), for a variety of reasons, despite his being very well-connected family wise in Chabad.
35
Nov 05, 2009 at 11:46 PM Anonymous Says:
“ So when one opens a shull, they need to apply at the sanhedrin / anshei keneses hagedolah? ”
No not a Shul but a Chabad house. A shul you can open wherever and whenever you want but if you want to be part of Chabad you need to follow rules and rule #1 is they work together as a team.
36
Nov 05, 2009 at 11:15 PM Anonymous Says:
“ There are several centers run by lubavitch rabbis that are not official "chabad houses." Often they will use a name other than "Chabad House." I've been told that sometimes its because of the nepotism system. The top chabad rabbi in a state doesn't permit new houses to open in areas without one because they are saving that area for a son or future son-in-law. Sometimes chabad centers are not on the official website because the chabad houses have to pay to be on the site. Still, most of these unofficial chabad houses do great work and in practice are no different than the official ones. ”
Your information is completely off. Chabad is an organization that was set up by the Lubavitcher Rebbe and it has rules. Like any organization there is a boss that makes decisions. While it is true that some of these offshoot centers do good work it destroys the institution that was set up by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. There are over 100 Chabad institutions in Florida and two are run by the sons of the head Rabbi. I asked my Chabad Rabbi and there is no so called "charge" for being on Chabad.org. However you do need to be recognized by the general institution and follow rules (working together for a greater cause). These renegade "Rabbis" need to work with everyone else for this greater cause. Over 100 Chabad institutions in Florida and over 4000 in the world work together as a team any points that you mentioned are not an excuse to defy this beautiful unity. Do you think with 4000 institutions in the world everyone gets along? but they work together with a code of unity and when things don't work out they compromise. Chabad promotes selflessness and oneness, these offshoot centers need to join the cause.