Hadassah, the women’s Zionist organization, says two of its leaders have been cleared of wrongdoing following an investigation into allegations that they misused charitable funds. The organization itself commissioned the investigation but is refusing to release the findings.
The 100-year-old charity launched the inquiry after its chief operating officer, Larry Blum, in a January letter to board members, accused Marcie Natan, Hadassah’s current national president, of using Hadassah funds to buy favors for members who supported her candidacy for president. The letter also alleged that Nancy Falchuk, Hadassah’s immediate past national president, had sent to her own home furniture and other items from a Hadassah-owned apartment, and that she had charged inappropriate expenses to a corporate credit card.
Blum has been on administrative leave since November 2011 over allegations that he used his corporate credit card to purchase personal items. He has characterized himself as a “whistleblower.” The investigation into Blum’s alleged misconduct is ongoing, and he could not be reached for comment.