Q: The Epstein files are headlines in the papers. They are all over the podcasts airwaves and taking up lots of space on social media! I am 100% sure you have heard about the files, filled with the names and actions of scores of powerful people who traded favors or relied on Jeffrey Epstein for help. Many not only knew the convicted pedophile, but also knew about, and may have participated in, his parties. His soirees included sexual acts with underage girls, who had been lured and forced into lewd and lascivious acts.
All I can do is think of my father who read the news daily with one question in mind: “Is this good for the Jews?!” Dershowitz, Lutnick, Pritzker, Tisch, Wexner, Wasserman, Summers, to name but a few. What were these guys thinking? I can only hope that the general public doesn’t know how many of the participants have Jewish names. I cringe to think this scandal might reflect badly on us all. Antisemitism and antisemitic acts are increasing in our schools and in our universities. We need keys to merely enter our synagogues for fear of terrorist acts. We don’t need another reason for Jew hatred.
Did these guys ever, for a minute, wonder about how their behavior might reflect on other Jews? How do we distance ourselves from their bad behavior?
A: Historically, Jews have gained power by gaining some status in the reigning political structures of the countries in which they lived. Our foundational story, the Exodus, is about Moses, who was raised in the palace, and then freed the Jews from slavery.
In just a few days, we will read the book of Esther. Mordecai, her uncle, both encouraged her to take action and warned her about her status. As he persuades her to help. He says: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (4:13–14).
For centuries, Jews have known we need people in high places to protect us, and that despite their status, these individual high-placed Jews will continue to be seen as Jews.
Having members of our people with access to powerful people has not worked to preserve our communities. We were expelled from Spain in 1492. The Nazis murdered 6 million of us in World War II. Both these societies had many educated and prosperous Jews.
I give you this brief and well-known history because surely all these people know that power and status helps get things done. They wanted the access to those with influence. They wanted to bask in the limelight. I also suspect these men felt so comfortable in America, “the land of the free,” that they thought they would not be judged as Jews were in the past. Like many Americans, they focused on themselves as individuals.
Throughout history, men have acted badly in positions of power. Their status becomes an addiction, which makes them crave more and more of the trappings of rank. When one is at the top of the mountain, the view is gorgeous. It is easy to forget others. It is easy to forget one is part of a collective identity also.
While I have attempted to give one explanation of their behavior, it is hard to believe that their deeds will enhance their reputations nor those of other Jews. The records showed that many of them knew of Epstein’s misdeeds and stood by silently. They may not be guilty of pedophilia, but certainly a few of them bear some responsibility for keeping their knowledge to themselves. Others, including many innocent Jews, will be accused of guilt by association.
What we can do is teach our children our history and our ethics. We will need to practice these teachings as well as preach them. We may not be able to make this good for the Jews, but we can throw our energy into creating more ethical Jewish children and adults. We can assure our own successes are not built by exploiting others.
We can each remember that while we are individuals, we are also parts of families, communities and the Jewish people. We must teach this to our children.
Your father’s question might be one which can guide us all. Behave in a standard which will be good for the Jews and for all human beings.