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February 26, 2009 | 1:36 am

The Jewish banker with the really big heart

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

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In his speech last night to a joint session of Congress, President Obama singled out a Jewish banker not getting a bad rap for the financial crisis. While Herb and Marion Sandler got rich by selling a troubled savings and loan to Wachovia and Bernard Madoff stayed rich by out and out stealing from beacons of American Jewry, Leonard Abess is being haled a hero.

Abess’ story, which I learned of last week while searching for info on Beverly Hills-based City National Bank, couldn’t being getting attention at a better time. Since the global economy collapsed in September, Jews are getting much more than their fare share of scapegoating. Then Madoff heaped on an extra helping for anti-Semites, confirming all the worst stereotypes about greedy Jewish moneylenders and making Jews wistful for Shylock.

“Guys, the naked truth is that there’s something wrong with you. You are extrmely evil and hateful and should have no right calling anyone “antisemite”. And so what if someone hates you? It’s like hating cholera or aids. You guys are the disease. Everything you touch turns into sh—,” a commenter identified as Marcellus wrote in one of my original posts about Madoff—and there were plenty of comments with far more venom.

But when Abess sold his City National Bank of Florida, he did a real mitzvah and gave $60 million in bonuses back to his employees. Here’s what Obama had to say and a little extra reporting from JTA:

“I have also learned that hope is found in unlikely places; that inspiration often comes not from those with the most power or celebrity, but from the dreams and aspirations of Americans who are anything but ordinary,“ Obama said in the first of a number of references to the upper reaches of the Capitol, where a president’s chosen “heroes” sit with the first lady.

“I think of Leonard Abess, a bank president from Miami who reportedly cashed out of his company, took a $60 million bonus and gave it out to all 399 people who worked for him, plus another 72 who used to work for him,“ Obama said, as Abess barely contained his emotions. “He didn’t tell anyone, but when the local newspaper found out, he simply said, ‘I knew some of these people since I was 7 years old. It didn’t feel right getting the money myself.‘“

According to the biography of Abess posted by City National Bank, Abess is a board member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and the Anti-Defamation League.

“Leonard Abess, who gave millions to employees, is a Miami Jewish federation leader,“ William Daroff, the United Jewish Communities’ Washington director, Twittered with pride.

“Leonard and his family have been very generous supporters of the fed for as long as I can remember,” Jacob Solomon, the executive vice president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, told JTA.

“They really bring to life what we mean when we say the Jews should be ‘ohr la-goyim,‘ “ a light unto the nations.

It’s natural for Jews to kvell about such generosity. And that’s what I thought William Daroff was doing, until I realized that “twittered” was capitalized. I follow Daroff’s tweets, but I guess I missed that one; funny to see it mentioned in a JTA article.

Anyway, the pride in Abess’ action is well placed.

5 Comments — Leave your comment

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hey brad. im a christian, well i was born and raised one . im 53 now. im sick and tired when i hear someone bitchin about jews this or jews that. i was born and raised in detroit mi. i worked for roughly 10 years for a jewish man. he owned a tool shop. you had to be a highly skilled journeyman to work there. he was very wealthy. he also had a very nice family. he was a great guy. best boss i ever had. he paid us well highest in the industry. lots of holidays off paid. bonuses. ive never had a problem with jews. if i ever happen to run into him id ask him if he could help me finance stem cell transplant as i have suffered a spinal cord injury. maybe you no him as you have the same last names…..his name is hugh greenburg. ty…..mark m

Comment by mark m on 2/28/09 at 6:19 pm

Now you know how it feels. I am a white male and have been taking heat for rich white males by all races inlcuding Jewish. I am not rich and did not grow up rich. But you have no problem putting down the white race in general as far as greed and racism, do you? It only bothers you when someone does it to you. Maybe now you will think twice before you forget to pratice what you preach. BTW, I have had bad experiences with all races especially white, but I don’t blame the entire race like Obama’s cabinet and advisors, but that is OK. Just remember, Obama would have never won if it wasn’t for the white vote.

Comment by regular guy on 3/14/09 at 1:41 pm

I haven’t heard the media say that about him, but still, he is a Jew, no question. They are just using a veiled slur. Yeah, it’s just a little epithet. They can’t say “that Jew bastard Madoff”, so they just word it politically correct and say “Jewish Banker”.

Comment by Limo Miami on 7/28/09 at 2:51 pm

I am a mother of 8 and I am 53-I live in Ky with a 13 year old son. I am on SSI and Jesses is pending. I need money for a uhaul to get back to my reservatio. I am being evicted and there is no HUD money in Magoffin county for2 years. My child has seizures. I have no place to go and my children on the Indian reservation in ny have not enough either to rent a uhaul to come get us and our furniture. I have SSI and its not enough.Please pray to God to at least give us a miracle. We need a financial miracle. I have a court date th24th of sept for speeding—I am guilty. Please pray to God to let me find mercy with judge prater All I am asking for is some miracles from God to help me and my son If I was back on the rez at least I would have a roof over my head.

Comment by peggy rickard on 9/14/09 at 1:45 am

I just need a miracle. I have a disability and my 13 year old son just started having seizures this year after a hepatitus vaccine. I am being evicted and have till the end of oct to find a home-there is a waiting list for lowincome homes and Magoffin county hasnt had HUD for 2 years. I ned money for a uhaul to get back to the Indian rez where we came from. If I could get back there at least I would have a roof over my head along with my 13 year old son who has seizures. I have SSI which isnt enough to make it. Remember me in prayer for 24th of sept. I had a speeding ticket and I am guilty. Pray that judge prater will have mercy on me. I cant afford the fine, If I could get home to those kids on the rez-I would have help to care for my son. I am 53 and also sick. At least pray for a miracle from God

Comment by peggy rickard on 9/14/09 at 1:58 am

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