Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), an organization claiming to help with all of IDF soldiers' most urgent needs, has been engulfed in controversy following an internal investigation launched in March 2025. The investigation was triggered by a combination of factors, including massive internal complaints about poor management, misuse of funds, misleading marketing practices, and spending donor funds on non-essential items such as candy bags and flip-flops rather than essential frontline equipment. Criticism has been particularly directed at top executives, including CEO Steven Weil and Chairman Morey Levovitz.
An explosive investigative report published by Ynet, based on the findings from this same internal review, detailed severe allegations of managerial misconduct, extreme centralization, conflicts of interest, and lack of transparency within FIDF. The report, compiled over three months, identified Chairman Morey Levovitz as informally acting as CEO without official authorization, extensively intervening in operational matters, and influencing leadership committee appointments from personally curated lists. Levovitz also allegedly directed exclusive business toward the Israeli travel company Artra, owned by his associate, bypassing standard competitive bidding procedures and receiving $53,000 in reimbursements for personal travel and event participation. Additionally, the report highlighted significant donor trust issues, revealing that contributors were misled into believing their donations individually funded lone soldier housing when multiple donors contributed to these projects.
Marc Perlman, National President of FIDF, confirmed the formation of an executive committee tasked with a comprehensive review of the organization's practices. "Recently, we have received a number of criticisms from one of our chapters," Perlman wrote in an internal communication dated March 21, 2025. "The Board of Directors has tasked the Executive Committee to form a Committee to comprehensively review and report back to the Board."
Committee members include Steven Rubin, Fred Distenfeld, Garry Sobol, and Perlman himself, all with substantial institutional knowledge. Perlman emphasized that feedback will be gathered confidentially from select staff nationwide, promising "candor and professionalism."
Following the submission of the investigative report, committee member Garry Sobol sent a scathing letter to management, accusing them of an organized campaign to erase the report's findings, disperse the committee, and silence any criticism. Sobol emphasized that committee members acted voluntarily, without personal motives, and invested substantial hours out of a sense of responsibility to the organization. He revealed that employees contacting the committee expressed fear of retaliation and described a deep sense of despair, noting that management's conduct toward the report only confirmed its troubling findings. Sobol concluded, "If we are proud to support the most moral army in the world, we must meet the same moral standard of integrity that it represents."
However, tensions appear significantly higher than the formal statement suggests. Ricki Alon, former board member from the FIDF San Francisco Bay Area chapter, sharply criticized recent leadership actions in a fiery email addressed to staff member Jenna Griffin. Alon lambasted the decision to terminate prominent executives Amarelle Green and Leane Zatlavi without proper local board consultation, calling Weil and Levovitz's actions "senseless and irresponsible."
Alon further accused Weil and Levovitz of "gangster-like" behavior, revealing that both are currently subjects of the special committee's investigation for multiple allegations. Alon indicated confidence in an outcome leading to their dismissals, urging Jenna Griffin to resign alongside the embattled executives.
Amidst the escalating crisis, veteran donor Zvi Alon, husband of Ricki Alon, has publicly demanded Levovitz’s immediate resignation, emphasizing this as the only measure capable of mitigating severe reputational damage.
This leadership crisis casts a stark spotlight on an organization traditionally viewed as vital to supporting Israel's soldiers. Alon concluded her email by signaling continued support for IDF soldiers through other "honest and efficient" organizations until FIDF undergoes significant reform.
FIDF has yet to publicly comment beyond Perlman's internal message, but the unfolding drama suggests significant changes could be imminent.
This is a long time coming. I hope soldiers get the justice they deserve.