Wall Street fraud forces Lappin Foundation to close in Salem

It is really sad that the Jewish community will pay for the greed of having the charity's monies in an unsuitable investment. Everyone on Wall Street was aware that the returns for Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities were too good to be true. Over the years, most of the so-called "sophisticated investors" thought that there was insider trading taking place but that there was little risk to their own investments. Even if Madoff was caught, these sophisticated investors thought the investments would be safe. Alas, it was just a Ponzi scheme and now all the money appears to be gone.

As a religious school teacher I feel a profound sense of loss. I have taken many courses that the Lappin foundation has sponsored. My students have been given (free of charge) all sorts of wonderful items of Judaica. They have beautiful shofarot, religious jewelry, and so many more items. The Lappin foundation programs, like youth to Israel and teachers to Israel will be sorely missed by the educators and students of our area. Mr. Lappin has brought together many wonderful people who have become best friends. I have never met this wonderful man, but I know of his phenomenal work.

This is a real shame. This organization did a lot of great work. What a breach of faith by Madoff.

Oy vey!

I'm joining Jews for jesus

We are deeply saddened to hear of the news regarding the Robert I. Lappin Foundation. We, personally, have taken part in many of the programs offered, and have come to appreciate all that the Foundation has done for so many.
Our hearts reach out to Mr. Lappin, and all the hard-working and dedicated people that work for the RILCF. We pray that a solution is found, and offer our thanks to each and everyone involved.

What a disgrace. My family has been lucky to have had the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful programs the Robert L. Lappin Charitable Foundation provided. Both of my daughters experienced the Y21 trip together in July and came back with a sense of Jewish pride they had never known. We have also participated in Rekindle Shabbat. There are not many people left in the world as generous as Mr. Lappin and I would personally like to express my deep sadness over this tragedy.

Why would a charitable foundation place all of its funds in a hedge fund? Questionable decision by the executive officer and board, to say the least.

This is a real tragedy. The Lappin Foundation did a lot of good work for the North Shore Jewish Community, they had good programs and good people. What a breach of faith by Madoff. Regarding the thefts in general, it is hard to understand how supposedly sophisticated people good be taken in by such a long-running scheme.

I only pray that a man as wonderful as Robert Lappin did not put all of his money with Madoff. I would hate to see such a generous man end up with nothing. My 11 year old came out of Hebrew School Sunday heartbroken. Our Temple has received so many wonderful things and programs from this man. We will do whatever we can to help him rebuild! Stephen Spielburg and Jeffrey Katzenberg are you out there? Can you help a mensch??

The community needs to rise to the occasion and in the spirit of G'milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness) help re-fund the Robert I Lappin Foundation. The wonderful generosity of such a man has enriched the lives of so many and can only serve as the inspiration to act so this institution may persist into the future. Are there 8000 people who can donate $1000.00? Are there 80,000 who can donate $100? Kindly contact me at mitch.barosin@verizon.net if you wish to join with me to "Save the Robert I. Lappin Foundation". Mitzvot means we are responsible for "Tikkun Olam" - reparing and healing our world.