MADOFF

How interesting is that guy's surname you tell me?

Anyhow, I believe just about the whole of the developed world is privy to the financial scandal that acknowledges its creator in Bernard Madoff, borne out of, for some, greed, for others stupidity, and yet for others, both. Then again, we can't blame them squarely. Read a report about how exactly Madoff managed to flummox many in the industry - through his stellar track record, his philanthropic work, and most importantly, the high level of trustworthiness and morality within the Jewish community.

Speaking of which, the report also mentioned that reactions from the Jewish community have ranged from anger to disappointment, with notable reference to how the entire scandal seems to confirm and champion the stereotype of the thieving Jewish banker. The stereotype has long existed and even influenced many historical events. After all, it is this stereotype that lent itself very well to the radicalisation of the Adolf's very own anti-Semitic world view.

How sad isn't it, when the misdeeds of black sheep, while few and far in between, almost always have a lasting and indelible impact on their compatriots and associates. The trust and rapport built between the Jewish and other American communities will never be the same again, plagued by the shadows of this scandal even far into the future, especially with the magnitude and scale of it.

But I hope this doesn't go down the path from which the entire country of Germany took, when it beat up itself for the atrocities Adolf orchestrated like the Holocaust, where its national pride was wounded for decades and only recently, has it taken a turn for the better. The Jewish community hopefully will know better.