The word Askan/ Shtadlan, the title public servant, has
referred to a person characterized by selfless love for the Jewish people who
sacrifices himself for the public good. We grew up hearing stories of people
ran across Europe meeting with kings and governments in an effort to avert
terrible decrees against the Jewish people. All this was done at their own
personal peril and their own expense. The early klal workers in this country
wanted nothing more than to spread chinuch and literally were moser nefesh for
that ideal.
Every good thing can be abused. This includes public service
and community service when a trust of the people with interests other than
those of the public they represent. If that happens, the people who suffer the
most are all of us, all of klal yisroel, because the true askanim /
shtadlanim-and there many out in there in the
trenches helping others lesheim shomayim will have lost the goodwill of
the public due to the indiscretions and selflessness of the abusers.
There is a tremendous pitfall in askanus, a pitfall
associated with all positions of power, especially those that are based on
trust. In other words, the second an askan begins to think that it’s about me
not about the cause; he is doomed to failure, because when there is a conflict
between the “me” and the “cause”, the “me” is going to win and the “cause” is
going to lose. That means that the little guy is going to lose.
The problem is that some Askanim become so swept up with
their roles and their deeds even good deeds, that they often have a hard time
separating themselves from the cause. They begin to think of themselves as the
cause in itself.
If askanim want to retain the goodwill of the people and
continue to help them; they must understand a few points. Firstly, it’s not
about me. It’s about helping people. Secondly, an Askan is there to fill a need
or a void. He’s not there to create a need and then becomes a knight in shining
armor who will fix it. Don’t create a need or an organization that’s
unnecessary or has already been created by someone else. If you do that, you’re
not an Askan, but rather opportunist and a copycat to boot.
In addition, it goes without saying that if a person’s
public service will in anyway benefit his own private business, mossad or
interest, that person is not an Askan, but rather an opportunist utilizing the
public to further his financial or organizational goals.
One particular form of askanus is that which exists in
relationship between politicians and public servants. This is especially so
when individuals with personal agendas and financial interests try to become
liaisons between the frum community and politicians, taking advantage of the
naiveté of so many in our tzibur.
These words should not be taken as an indictment on askanus.
On the contrary, it is because we feel that altruistic public services are such
an integral component of preserving the welfare of our communities and ensuring
the flourishing of yidishkeit that we
must weed and out and separate the true askanim / shtadlanim, the true public
servants, who selflessly give of themselves and their time for the public with
little thought for recognition and remuneration, from the charlatans and opportunist who sully the ideal of askanus and
sully the name of our communities in an
unforgettable, unforgivable way.
As a prominent Rebebetzin "in the know" said
"I never saw an (ex)askan, without full pockets".
Based on an article by R' A. Birenbaum
3 comments:
One see quite a few commentators at this site looking in the mirror and watching the above image.
Shatnez.
Kashrus.
Sirufim.
Loshon Horah etc.
Rabbonim.
Gedolim' Poskim.
and much more.
Some sure do abuse their power or imagined power.
Define askan
R'yudel,
Some of your most noble friends who some might term askan have empty pockets
Halevai you would really like hold they are that
Halevai those who shine themselves in those titles would make way for some of those who should be better deserving on this chat
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