Hadassah Executives Facing Fraud Allegations
Charges initiated by longtime staff member on administrative leave
February 07, 2012
Two senior members of Hadassah’s executive board have been accused of fraud, Josh Nathan-Kazis reports in the Forward. The allegations against Marcie Natan and Nancy Falchuk—Hadassah’s current and former national presidents—citing the misuse of organization funds were brought by the organization’s longtime chief operating officer, Larry Blum, who is on administrative leave for allegedly misusing a corporate credit card.
According to Nathan-Kazis:
Blum alleged that Natan, who was elected as Hadassah’s national president in July, used Hadassah funds to buy favors for members who supported her candidacy for national president. Those favors allegedly included flight upgrades to business class and the unnecessary extension of trips to Israel made on Hadassah business.
Blum charged that Falchuk, who served as Hadassah’s national president from 2007 to 2011, moved furniture and fixtures valued between $10,000 and $20,000 from a Hadassah-owned apartment to her own home without the approval of the organization’s leadership.
Blum also accused Falchuk of charging thousands of dollars in wine, entertainment, and personal trips to Florida to Hadassah’s credit card.
Top Hadassah Officials Probed Over Funds [Forward]
Stephanie Butnick is the founder of GOLDA, a Jewish lifestyle newsletter. She hosted the Tablet podcast Unorthodox, co-authored The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia: From Abraham to Zabar’s and Everything in Between, and worked as a writer and editor at Tablet.
