FIDF’s behavior has been questionable in the aftermath of the October 7th, 2023 invasion by Hamas.
They have claimed that their spiritual donations were better than donations of protective equipment. They admitted to using emergency campaign funds to pay for university education. They were proud that they “didn’t engage” in helping soldiers with their most critical needs.
Now, board members are beginning to realize that there are problems with the organization and there are better ways to directly help soldiers.
San Francisco/Bay Area Chapter board member Sloane Citron went as far as to resign and blast the organization for abandoning its mission and being “disingenuous.”
Here is the letter in full:
Dear FIDF leadership,
I’ve been on the SF Bay Area board for around 20 years, helping — along with other truly wonderful board members — the organization through tough times and through good times. I have contributed a great deal of money, time and energy to FIDF and was proud to do so. Ironically, many years after I joined the board, my own son was a lone soldier.
I have found that FIDF has abandoned much of its original mission and is now primarily a scholarship organization. For instance, despite getting specific approval from the commander of my nephew’s Maglan unit to donate improved gear, I was dismissed out of hand by FIDF telling me this was not possible. In fact, I never even received a response from the FIDF person who I was told to contact.
You have made a huge mistake in letting Amarelle Green leave. She was the best leader I have ever seen and unquestionably turned this into a powerhouse. She gave her all to this organization. The board and our major donors think extremely highly of her, and it will be interesting to see what transpires.
The FIDF has been a poorly run, disingenuous organization for some time now, and I personally have stopped all donations and will not be making more.
Not that is seems to matter to the FIDF leadership, but I am resigning my position on the board effectively immediately. I’m turning my attention to a truly wonderful organization (that FIDF abandoned) that helps wounded soldiers help other wounded soldiers called Brothers for Life (brothersforlife.com).
Please take me off of ALL mailing lists.
Good luck.
Sloane Citron