Post-Madoff, pre-Rosh Hashanah, Jewish leaders call on rabbis to stress ethical renewal

Jewish leaders call for holiday message of ethics

NEWARK, N.J. — The Bernard Madoff case and other instances of corruption have Jewish leaders calling on U.S. rabbis to stress the faith’s ethical requirements on Rosh Hashana (rohsh huh-SHAH’-nuh).

The impetus for the call includes Madoff, the Wall Street tycoon who defrauded investors of billions of dollars, and the arrest of several rabbis on money-laundering charges in New Jersey.

Richard Joel, president of Yeshiva University, says the scandals have deeply embarrassed Jews.

Joel says Jews have a responsibility to lead exemplary lives. With millions of the faithful attending synagogues this weekend, he says, it’s an ideal time to reinforce that message.

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, begins Friday night.