Senior executives at Hadassah are trading allegations of misusing the funds of
the women’s organization, it emerged on Wednesday.
Hadassah’s Chief
Operating Officer Larry Blum sent a letter to its board members on January 12
accusing Hadassah National President Marcie Natan and former national president
Nancy Falchuk of spending tens of thousands of dollars
inappropriately.
Blum, who was placed on leave in November on suspicion
of misusing his corporate credit card, alleged Falchuk took furniture from her
office worth between $10,000 and $20,000 and charged thousands more on wine,
entertainment and personal trips to Florida when she was president.
He
said Natan, who took over from Falchuk last July, used funds to buy support from
members by upgrading their flights to business class and extending trips to
Israel.
The allegations, which were first reported by the Forward, are
under investigation by a special independent committee headed by Daniel Kurtz, a
law-firm executive with experience working with charities.
A Hadassah
representative told The Jerusalem Post Wednesday that the organization was not
commenting on the allegations.
However, another spokesman for Hadassah
was quoted by the Forward as saying investigations of alleged malfeasance by
Natan and Falchuk, as well as by Blum, were ongoing.
“No conclusions have
been reached,” a statement from Hadassah read. “Until there is a final
resolution, Mr. Blum is on administrative leave.”
The Zionist group,
which turns 100 this year, said it welcomed scrutiny of its conduct, and that
the reviewing process protected its interests.