DOV TALES
by Dov Burt Levy

The World Jewish Congress should shutter its windows, lock its doors for the last time, and disband. Go out of business. Give up that grandiose name, which does not reflect the organization and how it really works.

Actually, I, and most of us, appreciate and applaud the work of private American organizations. To start one, you need only print some stationery, build a website and get to work looking for like-minded people to pursue shared interests. As Alexis DeToqueville wrote about his visit to America in 1835-40, private associations are what differentiate, for the better, the old and new worlds.

But, the World Jewish Congress offends me. And you may agree, after I tell you why.

First, the name of the organization, World Jewish Congress, invokes the idea of an inclusive, world-wide democratic deliberative body, and transparent like many others, whose decisions bring benefit to its Jewish constituency. Instead, in this case you get a self-appointing and self-sustaining oligarchy with fast and loose financial management. No transparency, no democracy.

The WJC's name makes it sound official, like the place that governments and institutions should go to when wishing to address world Jewry. Just as those wanting to communicate with worldwide Catholicism might look for a Vatican address.

The World Jewish Congress held an election on June 10, to choose a new president and a new chairman of its executive committee. Ronald Lauder, heir to the Lauder cosmetic industry billions won the presidency; Matthew Bronfman, heir to his family's liquor business fortune won the chairmanship.

Not an election instilling pride because the number of electors, those with the power to vote, were so small. The executive committee (11-4), then the board of directors (59-17) both validated the Lauder-Bronfman slate.

Still, demonstrating the organization's dysfunction, a major dissent arose when 15 names were added to the board of director voting list at the last minute, the people, after all, with the final vote in this election.

A democratic, transparent, deliberative vote, it was not.

More background. The World Jewish Congress was established in 1936 by Nachum Goldman as part of the effort to publicize the plight of European Jewry and to gain support for its rescue.

By 1975, the organization was tired, in financial trouble, and Edgar Bronfman, looking to make a contribution to, and a mark in, the Jewish community, made a sizeable financial contribution and assumed the presidency.

Brooklyn Rabbi Israel Singer was hired and together the two dominated the organization for over 30 years.
Five years ago, a secret bank account containing well over a million dollars, opened by Singer, was found in a Swiss bank.

Singer then allegedly flew to Geneva, closed the WJC office, dismissed its two employees (including the one who unearthed the bank account) and Singer transferred the money to a British bank, as the story goes.

Then New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer took on the investigation of the case.

Spitzer's report and agreement with the WJC in January 2006 was such that both sides could claim victory. Spitzer concluded that WJC finances "lacked any oversight… by the governing bodies," barred Singer from any role in the organization's finances, and required his repayment of "inappropriate disbursements."

But because Spitzer did not find evidence of an indictable offense, WJC president Edgar Bronfman, in his relief over the outcome, publicly kissed Singer at a meeting, and said, "I love you."

Fast-forward to a year later. On an international teleconference, Edgar Bronfman announces the firing of Singer for financial irregularities. A bad Mafia film couldn't have been clumsier.

Singer's firing fueled more dissension and conflict (Singer did have some supporters around the world). Bronfman then announced his resignation from the presidency after 35 years on the job. That set the stage for this week's election and his son's electoral victory.

Are you offended, as I am, that a high profile, lofty-sounding Jewish organization should become the plaything of billionaire heirs?

What a deal. A million-dollar tax-deductible contribution buys the presidency of a major Jewish organization. This in turn brings access to prime ministers, presidents, kings, military and business leaders around the world.

My political consultant friend, Myron, told me that a battle to close the WJC could not be won. He advised, "Start a new organization. Name it 'The Galaxy Jewish Congress.' That will drop the World Jewish Congress down a notch."

Something to worry about, Messrs. Lauder and Bronfman!