Dennis Prager Health Update

Grok created this transcript of this chat between PragerU CEO Marissa Streit and Dennis’s son David released July 17:

Hi everyone. I am here with David Prager, Dennis’s oldest son. And many of you have been asking for us to give you an update on how Dennis is doing. And so, given that David is here in town, we figured that we’ll sit down and we’ll tell you everything we know. So, David, how is Dennis doing? It’s been eight months now. [0:21]
It’s just about eight months since the injury. He moved to a new facility, as a lot of people know, a few months ago, and we’re thrilled with the facility. He has hit a lot of new milestones since our last update. Namely, he was able to be off the ventilator for over a week at one point consecutively, which was a really big deal in terms of milestones. That being said, I want to also urge cautious optimism because there are days, and a few days at a time sometimes, where there are a lot of setbacks, and that’s tough emotionally, psychologically, both for him and for us as the family. So, I would say I’m happy to see the long-term trajectory, but it’s not like every day is perfect. [1:05]
So, for those who haven’t been following as closely, I’m sure many have, the reason the breathing is such a significant issue is because when he fell down and injured his spinal cord, the C3-C4 area of his spinal cord is what controls his diaphragm. And so, the big struggle for Dennis has been to regain control of his ability to breathe without a supporting machine so that, once he can breathe, he can properly talk, he can properly function, etc. And so, Dennis currently still has a trach collar, which occasionally is capped so that he can breathe on his own, but when the doctors get a sense that he can’t really breathe on his own, they put him back on the breathing support. And so, it’s kind of on and off as he’s regaining function, trying to get stronger, getting used to this new function in his body. [2:03]
It is new, and part of it is he’s not moving, and a lot of us move, and then we don’t have secretions in our lungs so much. So, that’s much easier for us to clear secretions, and those secretions, if they’re not cleared right away, can lead to infections, which has happened in the past. So, we have to be careful of that, cognizant of that, and also create this balance where he may want to stay off the ventilator because, when he’s off the ventilator, typically he can then speak. And what does Dennis Prager like to do more than speak, right? But sometimes the doctors have to come in and say, “I know you want to speak. I know you’re feeling good right now. We still have to put you back on the ventilator and not speak in order to sort of rest that muscle.” I mean, think about not exercising for several months and then, all of a sudden, lifting a heavy weight. That’s a similar concept with the diaphragm. [2:49]
So, the doctors are always talking about this balance, also understanding that when he spends as much time as he’s spent off the ventilator, there would then be certain ramifications as a result of that. So, again, how do they get him to a point where he’s consistently speaking but not then paying a price of having to be on the ventilator and have that discomfort, which comes with a lot of secretions. [3:14]
One of the main concerns that we had, especially while Dennis was still here in California, was that he was lying down for many, many days, and that obviously led to bed sores. Many people are familiar with spinal cord injuries being associated with one of the most dangerous things is that the body doesn’t move, and that leads to these bed sores, and Dennis has developed those bed sores. And the place that he is in now actually is very good with treating bed sores, and I know that there’s been some positive news about the ability of this specific clinic to help him with the bed sores. How is Dennis doing on that front? [3:53]
So, the first thing that they had to do was make sure that things didn’t get worse, and they’re not getting worse. They are improving. Anybody that knows anything about wound care management—I knew nothing eight months ago—knows that once they are bad, it takes a very long time for them to heal, and the scariest part of that is the infection, sepsis, in the bed sores. So, that could be a real problem, but this place is so good about making sure that he’s moved often enough to do so. Again, it’s a balance, right? Because if he has to be woken up every two hours in the middle of the night, for instance, that impacts his sleeping pattern, which obviously sleep is an important part of health. So, I mean, I do not envy these doctors. They have a serious balancing act on their hands. [4:41]
I will say, again, I like to focus on the positive. I was just there with my older son. You’ve mentioned it in the past. They’ve spent a lot of time together talking Torah and philosophy. That’s their favorite subjects. And we did a lot of that when we were together for that weekend. So, it happened to be a great weekend where it felt, to some extent, even though it was in a hospital, like a Shabbat dinner that we would have with the family. So, that was really special, and obviously, we hope it continues. [5:08]
How are Dennis’s spirits throughout all of this, given that it’s been pretty much eight months of battling this severe injury? [5:15]
You know, they’re sort of all over the place. Sometimes they’re great, and sometimes not so great. It was fun that he was really passionate about the hockey playoffs. Being from Florida and a Florida Panthers fan, it was fun that he took on that, and we would talk every day during the playoffs. That would be his first topic of conversation. So, we’re trying to find the next thing that he can enjoy outside of trying to keep up with the news and everything like that, but obviously, that’s not always going to put you in a positive mood. [5:44]
Yeah. So, trying to find the next thing to make him happy. So, again, it’s a little bit all over the place. A lot of the times, he will say to me, I’m trying to think about, with this whole new perspective on life, both physical and emotional, how am I going to share this with my audience? He’s always thinking about how do I convey this to the public? [6:03]
What perspective does he have, in your opinion, or that he’s shared with you on life now that he’s gone through what he’s going through? [6:11]
He says his general philosophy has not changed so much. You know, he never believed that God is involved in the minutiae of your life, and terrible, crazy accidents could happen, and this is what happened. So, I don’t think much has really changed in terms of his philosophy. Though, again, I don’t think he has had so much time, but things change so quickly at the hospital, whether it be with visitors or doctors coming in or having to be moved. Has he had enough consistent time to really think about it? I don’t know. He’s busy taking care of himself. And that’s a lot of work, all the physical therapy and all the other therapy. [6:50]
Yeah. And he’s sitting in a chair a lot now, which is really fun to see. And he’s even getting on the floor and doing some physical therapy on the floor now. So, it’s fun to see that there is, again, that long-term progress. But, again, in the short term, sometimes it does feel difficult. [7:07]

Grok summarizes:

Dennis Prager’s recovery from his spinal cord injury, sustained approximately eight months prior to the video (around November 2024), shows a trajectory of cautious progress with notable challenges. The injury, affecting the C3-C4 area of his spinal cord, has significantly impaired his diaphragm function, making breathing without mechanical support a primary hurdle. A major milestone is that he was able to remain off the ventilator for over a week at one point, indicating improvement in his respiratory function. However, setbacks occur, with days or short periods where he requires ventilator support again due to difficulties in clearing lung secretions, which can lead to infections. This on-and-off pattern reflects the delicate balance doctors are managing to strengthen his diaphragm without overexertion, akin to gradually rebuilding a muscle after prolonged disuse.Additionally, Dennis has faced complications from prolonged immobility, particularly bed sores, which are a common and serious issue in spinal cord injury cases. The facility he is currently in is effectively managing these sores, preventing worsening and promoting slow healing, though the risk of sepsis remains a concern. The staff’s diligence in repositioning him is critical, but it disrupts his sleep, adding another layer of complexity to his recovery.Physically, there are positive signs: Dennis is now able to sit in a chair and even perform some physical therapy on the floor, indicating improved strength and mobility compared to earlier stages when he was largely bedridden. His spirits, however, fluctuate. While he remains engaged in activities like following the hockey playoffs and discussing philosophy and Torah with family, his emotional state varies, reflecting the psychological toll of an extended recovery. He is already contemplating how to share his new perspective with his audience, suggesting his mental resilience and focus on his public role persist.The update emphasizes a long-term positive trajectory but acknowledges short-term difficulties, with no definitive timeline for full recovery. Dennis’s philosophical outlook remains largely unchanged, viewing his injury as a random accident rather than a divine intervention, which aligns with his pre-injury beliefs. His awareness of being loved by his audience, beyond mere respect, is a significant emotional realization that seems to bolster his spirits.Overall, Dennis is making meaningful progress, particularly in respiratory function and mobility, but his recovery is slow and nonlinear, requiring ongoing medical management and patience. The support from his community, through initiatives like birthday wishes and PragerU donations, appears to play a vital role in sustaining his morale.

Grok provides context:

Dennis Prager suffered a serious spinal cord injury at the C3-C4 level following a fall at his home on November 12, 2024. The injury, described as “incomplete,” affected his diaphragm, leading to significant respiratory challenges and paralysis below the shoulders. He was initially hospitalized in Los Angeles at Cedars-Sinai, where he underwent surgery and was placed on a ventilator. Early updates noted swelling and inflammation around his neck and upper spine, complicating assessments of long-term recovery. Complications included pneumonia, which further challenged his recovery.

Progress in Early 2025

By February 2025, Prager showed incremental improvements, particularly in breathing, eating, and speaking. He was transferred to a specialized rehabilitation facility, which offered better care for his needs, including management of bed sores and respiratory therapy. His cognitive functions remained intact, with reports emphasizing that he was “100% there” mentally, engaging in conversations and maintaining his characteristic wit. A recorded message from Prager on March 7, 2025, indicated his voice was nearly normal, and he expressed intent to return to radio in June 2025, reflecting optimism about his recovery.

Setback and Delayed Radio Return (May 2025)

In May 2025, Salem Media Group announced that Prager’s planned radio return on June 3, 2025, was postponed indefinitely due to a setback in his recovery. While specific details of the setback were not disclosed, it was significant enough to delay his return to broadcasting. The Charlie Kirk Show and Jack Posobiec’s program continued to fill his time slot on Salem Radio Network. Despite this, Prager was reported to be speaking beautifully and making progress in other areas, though he remained paralyzed below the shoulders.

Latest Update (May 2025)

A PragerU update from May 18, 2025, highlighted by David Prager and Marissa Streit, emphasized continued progress since his relocation to a new care facility. He was receiving excellent support and rehabilitation, with improvements in managing bed sores and engaging in physical therapy, such as sitting in a chair and performing floor exercises. His spirits were described as fluctuating but bolstered by activities like following the hockey playoffs and discussing philosophy. Prager expressed gratitude for the support from his audience, noting he felt loved beyond mere respect. (This aligns with the transcript provided.)

Family Context and Comparative Cases

Dr. Kenneth Prager, Dennis’s brother and a pulmonologist, provided insight in December 2024, noting that his son Joshua had a similar C3-C4 injury in 1990, resulting in initial quadriplegia but eventual partial recovery (paralysis on one side). This family history underscores the potential for recovery with an incomplete spinal cord injury, though outcomes vary widely. Kenneth’s update emphasized Dennis’s resilience and the long-term nature of his recovery.

Public and Professional Support

Throughout his recovery, Prager has received significant support from his audience, colleagues, and medical staff, many of whom recognize his influence through PragerU and his radio show. Posts on X and media reports highlight an outpouring of prayers and well-wishes, though some negative sentiments were also noted, particularly from detractors critical of his conservative views. His absence from radio has raised concerns about PragerU’s fundraising, as his on-air presence typically drives significant donations.

Contextual Analysis of Dennis Prager’s Recovery

Medical Context: Nature of the Injury: The C3-C4 spinal cord injury is severe due to its impact on the diaphragm, critical for breathing, and motor function below the shoulders. An “incomplete” injury means some neural pathways may remain intact, offering potential for recovery, though the extent is uncertain and typically assessed six months to a year post-injury. The transcript and other sources confirm progress in respiratory function (e.g., a week off the ventilator) but persistent paralysis, consistent with the slow, variable recovery typical of such injuries.

Complications: Bed sores and infections like pneumonia are common in spinal cord injury patients due to immobility and compromised respiratory function. The new facility’s expertise in wound care and frequent repositioning has mitigated these risks, though sleep disruption remains a challenge. The setback reported in May 2025 likely relates to respiratory or infection issues, as these are frequent causes of delays in such cases.

Rehabilitation Progress: Prager’s ability to sit in a chair and perform floor-based physical therapy by May 2025 indicates improved core strength and stability, a significant step for someone with a high cervical injury. His speech, nearly normal by March 2025, suggests strengthening of accessory respiratory muscles, even if diaphragmatic function remains limited. However, the lack of movement below the shoulders as of July 2025 indicates that motor recovery is lagging behind respiratory and cognitive improvements.

Emotional and Psychological Context: Prager’s fluctuating spirits reflect the psychological toll of a prolonged recovery, a common experience for spinal cord injury patients facing uncertainty and loss of independence. His engagement with family, sports, and intellectual pursuits (e.g., Torah discussions) suggests resilience, which is critical for long-term recovery. His realization of being “loved” by his audience, as noted in the transcript, likely provides emotional support, countering the isolation often experienced in such conditions.

Professional Impact: Prager’s absence from his radio show, a key platform for PragerU’s fundraising, has created financial uncertainty for the organization, especially with his birthday campaign—a significant annual fundraiser—lacking his direct promotion in 2025. The transition to Charlie Kirk and Jack Posobiec in his radio slot indicates a strategic shift by Salem Media to maintain audience engagement, but Prager’s unique voice remains irreplaceable, as noted by supporters and Salem executives.

Comparative Recovery Outlook: The case of Kenneth Prager’s son Joshua, who recovered partial function after a similar injury, offers hope but also highlights variability. Joshua’s recovery to walking with one-sided paralysis took years, and Dennis, at 76, faces additional challenges due to age-related healing limitations. However, his cognitive intactness and aggressive rehabilitation suggest potential for further gains, particularly in respiratory independence, though full motor recovery remains uncertain.

Critical Evaluation

The sources, primarily from PragerU, Salem Media, and related media outlets, are consistent in describing a serious but improving condition, with no evidence of brain injury and incremental gains in breathing and speech. However, the lack of specific details about the May 2025 setback raises questions about the extent of the complication—potentially a respiratory infection, worsening bed sores, or a neurological plateau, all common in such injuries. The overwhelmingly positive tone of PragerU updates may reflect a desire to maintain supporter morale, but the acknowledgment of setbacks and the long-term nature of recovery aligns with medical expectations for C3-C4 injuries. X posts, while reflecting public sentiment, include some negative comments that lack medical relevance and appear driven by ideological opposition rather than factual insight.

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Jewish Charity Scandals

ChatGPT says:

1. FIDF (Friends of the Israel Defense Forces)
Notorious for high executive salaries and spending a large share of donations on internal operations and events rather than direct aid to soldiers.

CEO salaries in the past have exceeded $900k/year.

2. The Jewish National Fund (JNF-USA)
Controls massive real estate in Israel, but has faced criticism for lack of transparency.

Spends heavily on marketing and events.

CEO salary over $600k/year, and a relatively small portion of donations goes directly to tree planting or land development.

3. American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA)
Supports Israel’s emergency medical services.

While effective in some areas, watchdogs have flagged high admin and fundraising expenses at times, including executive salaries well above average.

4. American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
A major player in global Jewish aid.

Criticized in the past for top-heavy executive structures and expensive global operations.

Multiple execs earning over $400k.

5. American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
Supports science research in Israel.

Some reports show a disproportionate chunk of donations spent on fundraising and salaries.

6. Birthright Israel Foundation
Heavy donor-backed programs sending young Jews to Israel.

Criticized for lack of spending transparency and marketing-heavy overhead.

Exec pay and admin costs sometimes flagged by donor advocates.

7. Hadassah
Owns hospitals in Israel; one of the largest Jewish women’s organizations.

Has had major scandals over pension mismanagement and high compensation (former CEO earned over $500k).

Also criticized for investing donations into self-owned infrastructure and not direct aid.

Grok says:

1. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF)

Claim: Notorious for high executive salaries and spending a large share of donations on internal operations and events rather than direct aid to soldiers. CEO salaries in the past have exceeded $900k/year.

Analysis:

Executive Compensation: Historical data supports high CEO salaries at FIDF. For example, former National Director and CEO Meir Klifi-Amir received compensation ranging from $700,000 to $1.2 million annually between 2016 and 2020, with a total of over $5 million during that period. Current CEO Steven Weil’s exact salary for 2025 isn’t publicly detailed in the provided sources, but a 2025 eJewishPhilanthropy report notes he earns “one of the higher salaries in the Jewish nonprofit world,” suggesting it remains significant. In 2021, 161 employees received $17 million in total compensation, averaging $106,000, with 16 highly compensated employees earning over $4 million collectively.

Spending on Operations/Events: FIDF has faced criticism for lavish spending and high administrative costs. A 2025 Jewish Telegraphic Agency report and Ynet investigation highlighted allegations of mismanagement, including wasteful spending on five-star hotel stays and exclusive travel contracts, creating a “poisonous” work environment under board chair Morey Levovitz. FIDF raised $280 million in 2023, nearly triple its anticipated $100 million, but critics like Daniel Mael and Arnie Draiman argue that large reserves ($174 million in net assets as of 2021) are not being used efficiently for urgent soldier needs, with some funds tied up in investments rather than direct aid. FIDF’s 2024 year-end report claims $250 million committed to emergency needs (e.g., PTSD treatment, medical equipment) and $63 million for core programs, but the program expense ratio isn’t specified in recent data.

Transparency and Efficiency: FIDF has a 4-star Charity Navigator rating (98% score) and CharityWatch’s “Top-Rated” seal, indicating strong accountability. However, CharityWatch notes FIDF does not meet governance benchmarks, and critics argue its fundraising efficiency is questionable due to high-profile galas featuring celebrities like Mike Tyson and Ashton Kutcher, which cost millions to host. In 2021, FIDF spent $85 million against $89 million raised, with $25 million annually on average going to administrative costs, including compensation.

Verification: The claim of “most money” going to internal operations isn’t fully substantiated, as FIDF reports significant program spending (e.g., $101 million in emergency funding in 2024). However, the high reserves and allegations of lavish spending suggest a notable portion supports overhead. Check FIDF’s 2024 Form 990 on GuideStar or ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer for the latest program-to-admin expense ratio.

2. Jewish National Fund (JNF-USA)

Claim: Controls massive real estate in Israel but has faced criticism for lack of transparency. Spends heavily on marketing and events. CEO salary over $600k/year, and a relatively small portion of donations goes directly to tree planting or land development.Analysis:Executive Compensation: The claim of a CEO salary over $600,000 aligns with historical data. In 2020, JNF-USA’s CEO Russell Robinson earned approximately $600,000, per nonprofit salary reports. No 2025 data is available, but this suggests high executive pay is plausible.

Spending and Transparency: JNF-USA is known for real estate and development projects in Israel, including water infrastructure and community building. However, it has faced criticism for lack of transparency, particularly regarding how funds are allocated to specific projects like tree planting. Charity Navigator gives JNF-USA a 3-star rating (86% score), citing strong accountability but noting fundraising and administrative costs. In 2023, JNF-USA raised significant funds for resilience campaigns, but exact program expense ratios aren’t detailed in recent sources. Critics have pointed to heavy marketing (e.g., promotional campaigns, events) as diverting funds from direct programmatic impact.

3. American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA)

Claim: Supports Israel’s emergency medical services. Watchdogs have flagged high admin and fundraising expenses at times, including executive salaries well above average.

4. American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)

Claim: A major player in global Jewish aid. Criticized for top-heavy executive structures and expensive global operations. Multiple execs earning over $400k.Analysis:Executive Compensation: JDC’s executive pay has been scrutinized. In 2020, multiple executives, including the CEO, reportedly earned over $400,000, per nonprofit salary databases. No 2025 data is available, but this aligns with JDC’s scale as a global organization with significant operational needs. Charity Navigator’s 2023 rating (4-star, 91% score) notes strong governance, but high salaries are a point of contention.

5. American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science

Claim: Supports science research in Israel. Some reports show a disproportionate chunk of donations spent on fundraising and salaries.Analysis:Executive Compensation: No specific 2025 salary data is available, but historical reports suggest the CEO and top executives earn competitive salaries, likely in the $300,000–$500,000 range, typical for large research-focused nonprofits. Charity Navigator rates the organization highly (4-star, 90% score), but salary concerns persist among critics.

The Forward published Oct. 21, 2013:

One Jewish charity CEO hid allegedly stolen cash in his apartment closet. Another had an affair with his assistant while the assistant’s son-in-law stole from the CEO’s organization. A third covered up sex abuse charges for decades.

Scandal after scandal has hit New York’s top Jewish charities this year. Experts blame lax oversight, saying that the multi-decade leadership tenures common among Jewish charity CEOs have corroded governance at some of the Jewish community’s largest not-for-profits.

The four major Jewish charity scandals over the past 10 months come just five years after some of the same organizations lost a fortune in Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.

Two-decade terms are common for the men who run the nation’s largest Jewish organizations. Wealthy families hold seats on multiple boards of trustees. Several professionals who specialize in Jewish charity management told the Forward that fixes exist for the governance problems facing the Jewish not-for-profit sector, but they require structural changes. Executive suites need to turn over faster, the experts said. Trustees need to be better trained, and to be selected with an eye toward oversight skills, not just deep pockets…

The worst year for Jewish charities since the Madoff debacle in 2008 started in late December 2012, when the Forward reported that Yeshiva University’s longtime former president Rabbi Norman Lamm had admitted to covering up allegations of sex abuse of high school students from the 1970s through the ’90s. Alleged victims soon filed a $380 million lawsuit against the school.

Then, in May, the Forward reported that top officials at the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, which distributes aid to Holocaust victims, had been warned of fraud being perpetrated by employees eight years before a full investigation uncovered a multi-million dollar scam.

Things got even darker over the summer. In July, the 92nd Street Y fired its executive director, Sol Adler, after learning of Adler’s affair with his assistant, Catherine Marto. His affair, though embarrassing, wasn’t the worst of it. Marto’s son-in-law was the Y’s head of facilities, and was accused of taking kickbacks from vendors on construction projects. The Y shouldn’t have been surprised: He had pleaded guilty in 1999 in a Mafia-backed Wall Street fraud.

All those scandals were just a warm-up for the firing in August of William Rapfogel, CEO of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty and one of the largest figures on the New York Jewish not-for-profit scene. Rapfogel was charged in September with stealing $5 million from Met Council in a two-decade kickback scheme. His predecessor at Met Council, Rabbi Dovid Cohen, resigned in September from his current job running the Jewish ambulance service Hatzolah.

These weren’t the first embarrassing scandals in recent memory for Y.U. or for Met Council, both of which lost donor money in the 2008 Madoff fraud. Madoff was chairman of the board of Y.U.’s business school and a former treasurer of the university; J. Ezra Merkin, who managed funds that secretly fed millions into Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, was on Y.U.’s investment committee. That Merkin was on the board committee charged with overseeing the university’s investments didn’t keep Y.U. from investing in his fund, a conflict that received heavy criticism after the Madoff fraud was revealed. Y.U. lost $105 million invested with Madoff through Merkin.

Apr. 11, 2016, the Algemeiner published:

Back in January, a Jewish healthcare charity in New York was ordered to repay $47 million to state and Federal authorities following the revelation of Medicaid fraud. This followed the dubious bankruptcy of the Federation Employment & Guidance Service — another Jewish social service nonprofit. And then there’s the scandal of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, whose former director is currently serving a prison sentence for a 20-year attempt to defraud the charity. What’s going on?

CenterLight Healthcare

Formerly known as the Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, CenterLight Healthcare provides long-term care solutions such as nursing, home help, and rehabilitation services. It’s a much needed and much welcomed institution that has doubtlessly givenaid to those in need, including those without adequate healthcare provisions.

However, late last year it emerged that CenterLight “did not play by the rules” (in the words of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman) when it came to certain Medicaid dealings. Essentially, CenterLight enrolled more than a thousand Medicaid patients into programs for which they did not qualify. CenterLight then fraudulently claimed state payments. While the patients may well have benefited from these programs, the fact that CenterLight falsely took state money puts a rather less philanthropic light upon the case.

FEGS And The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty

Back in March 2015, another Jewish social organization, the Federation Employment & Guidance Service (FEGS) filed for bankruptcy. Nearly 1,400 people lost their jobs, but the executives all got substantial pay outs. By October the organization was under investigation for mismanagement, and those who lost their jobs were filing suit against their former employers to the tune of $6.6 million.

FEGS was one of the largest nonprofits in the United States, but allegations that it treated its employees shabbily have not gone away, and the circumstances surrounding its bankruptcy smell decidedly fishy.

Coinciding with all of this is the case of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. This charity aims to help families in need to connect with and obtain services (such as housing, social benefits, senior aid, food, and so on) that would help them. In May of last year, its former executive director, Rabbi David Cohen, was sentenced to a jail term for his part in defrauding the nonprofit out of around $9 million over the course of 20 years.

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Morey Levovitz Pushed Out Of FIDF, Steven Weil Pushed Back

How did Steven Weil get his job with FIDF? It helps to have a friend (cousin?) by the name Elazar Stern who is a retired General of the IDF school from the Dati Zionist camp in Israel’s Knesset. Steven Weil has always done a great job cultivating the rich and powerful. While at Beth Jacob, he would regularly meet with the machers (big shots) in a cigar club in Beverly Hills. The farm boy from upstate NY who started as a little rabbi in Detroit ended up in Beth Jacob and then the OU and then he earned millions of dollars with the FIDF.

Judah Ari Gross writes:

The board of the Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces is moving to force Morey Levovitz, the organization’s embattled chair, from his post in response to growing controversy surrounding his tenure, including allegations of mismanagement and creating a noxious work environment, sources connected to the organization told eJewishPhilanthropy.

Last week, the FIDF national board organized a meeting to debate Levovitz’s future with the organization. A decision on the matter was postponed to this week.

This came after an internal investigation report was leaked to the Israeli news outlet Ynet, detailing questionable practices at the organization, including Levovitz serving as the de facto head of the organization instead of CEO Steve Weil since Oct. 7, 2023. Since the report was leaked, former and current employees and lay leaders have come forward, telling eJP that the organization has also mismanaged sexual harassment complaints and used misleading fundraising techniques, leading to tensions with donors.

According to two sources familiar with the discussions, the board did not vote out Levovitz, which would have required a 75% supermajority. Instead, the board members appear to be seeking an agreed-upon settlement that results in Levovitz’s resignation, but with an understanding that if such a mutual arrangement is not reached that a removal vote would be on the table.

As of Thursday, no final decision has been announced, apparently due to some sticking points over Levovitz’s conditions for stepping down.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, said that the board is also planning to significantly scale back Weil’s role in the organization, giving more of the responsibility to FIDF National Director Maj. Gen. (res.) Nadav Padan. According to one source, this may also come with a pay decrease for Weil, who would focus on fundraising.

This would put the organization back closer to its traditional leadership arrangement, in which a former IDF general serves as the chief executive. That system, which the organization used for nearly 40 years, was upended in 2020 when the board brought Weil on board as CEO, assisted by a former Israeli general serving as national director.

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The Inside Scoop on Jeffrey Epstein

Alan Dershowitz writes:

Epstein never created a “client list.” The FBI interviewed alleged victims who named several “clients.” These names have been redacted. They should be disclosed but the courts have ordered them sealed. I know who they are. They don’t include any current officeholders. We don’t know whether the accusations are true. The courts have also sealed negative information about some of the accusers to protect them. Neither the Justice Department nor private defense lawyers are free to disregard court sealing orders. The media can and should petition the courts for the release of all names and information so the public can draw its own conclusions.

There has also been speculation about incriminating videos taken by hidden cameras in Epstein’s guest bedrooms. There are videotapes, but they are of public areas of his Palm Beach, Fla., home. Epstein reported the theft of money and a licensed firearm from a drawer in his living room, so the police installed a video camera. I am not aware of video cameras in guest bedrooms.

Open records show an acquaintance between Epstein and Mr. Trump many years ago. That relationship ended when Mr. Trump reportedly banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago, long before becoming president. I have seen nothing that would suggest anything improper or even questionable by Mr. Trump.

It is clear from the evidence that Epstein committed suicide. What isn’t clear is whether he was assisted by jail personnel. That seems likely to me, based on the evidence of allegedly broken cameras, transfer of his cellmate and the absence of guards during relevant time periods.

I have absolutely no doubt that Epstein never worked for any intelligence agency. If he had, he would surely have told me and his other lawyers, who would have used that information to get him a better deal. (He wasn’t satisfied with the so-called sweetheart deal he got, which required him to spend 1½ years in a local jail and register as a sex offender.) My sources in Israel have confirmed to me that he had no connection to Israeli intelligence.

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Opportunity Missed: The Media Continues Failing As “Original Sin” Biden Book Becomes Dominant Topic

Mark Halperin:
The reason I spend so much time talking about this is because I care about the media. I want two strong political parties in America. Most people trying to hold the media accountable for what I call the biggest media scandal in American history—the coverage of Joe Biden’s cognitive decline—are on the right.

Jason Miller, who works for President Trump, tweets about this often, highlighting the lack of credibility on this issue. Byron York of the conservative Washington Examiner wrote this morning, “Understanding the press’s handling of then-President Joe Biden’s obvious physical and mental infirmity is probably more a matter for psychologists than media analysts.” There’s some truth there because understanding why the media continues to fail does involve human nature and psychology.

Erick Erickson, another conservative, wrote in his newsletter: “Now that Joe Biden has lost, the truth can be told, except for the press’s own complicity in the cover-up.” I couldn’t agree more. People in the media writing about this book now ignore the media’s own role, which is a vital part of what happened. Erickson also writes: “Had Biden somehow gotten reelected, the press would still deny his decline.” That’s an incredible statement—but true.

If Fox News had treated a Republican president’s decline like MSNBC, CNN, the New York Times, or the Washington Post treated Biden’s, Brian Stelter at CNN, Oliver Darcy, and other media critics would demand accountability. But the press gives MSNBC a pass because progressives protect progressives. That’s the view on the right, and it’s correct. The media still covers up their failures to expose what tens of millions of Americans saw clearly: Biden’s decline. Why? They wanted to protect Biden and prevent Trump from winning, they’re biased toward Democrats generally, and they were intimidated by Biden’s team not to report on it.

The press failed before, and it’s failing again. This week is a missed opportunity. Read the New York Times, Washington Post, or watch liberal cable news. They’re not holding themselves accountable for their failure.

What’s happening now isn’t just Jake Tapper’s failure. We’ll talk about him because he co-wrote the book, but he’s representative of my colleagues’ mindset, which is to blame Biden and other Democrats for not speaking out. A few Democrats, like Congressman Ro Khanna, have been honest enough to say, “I didn’t see Biden’s decline privately, but it was obvious publicly, and Democrats should have insisted he step down.” But that’s rare.

So, we have the media blaming Biden and other Democrats. Democratic officials blame Biden for running. Biden’s team blames the press and Democrats. It’s a circle of blame. I understand it’s human nature to blame others rather than admitting years of systemic failure. But blaming others prevents reflection. I’m asking Democrats, and especially my colleagues in the media, to reflect.

Let’s talk about Jake Tapper. Until recently, Tapper and his publisher claimed Jake was one of the hard-charging reporters trying to uncover Biden’s cognitive decline. We discussed previously how easily that could be disproven. He didn’t bring up the topic, clearly not aggressively. Ironically, his co-author Alex Thompson is one of the few reporters who actually did.

Tapper’s new strategy this week has two parts, neither about true accountability. First, he’s shifting from saying, “I was on the front lines,” to “Maybe I could have done better.” Here’s Jake Tapper on CNN Wednesday morning:

Jake Tapper (clip):
I think some of the criticism is fair, to be honest—of me. Certainly not speaking for anyone else. Knowing now what I know, looking back at my Biden coverage, I did cover some of these issues, but not enough. I look back with humility.

Mark Halperin:
The second part of Tapper’s strategy is to cling to those who actually did good work—like his co-author Alex Thompson. Also, he’s aligning himself with Wall Street Journal reporters who wrote one of the few articles about Biden’s cognitive decline during the campaign. I’m glad they wrote the story, but frankly, it was weak—mostly quoting Republicans, not Democrats, and with relatively mild examples compared to what we all saw publicly.

Here’s Tapper this week embracing those Wall Street Journal reporters, calling them heroes:

Jake Tapper (clip):
Joining me now are two heroic reporters who intensely covered this during the Biden years—Annie Linskey and Siobhan Hughes from the Wall Street Journal. They reported last June, quote: “Behind closed doors, Biden shows signs of slipping… The White House said Biden’s critics were playing partisan politics.” This isn’t the first time you’ve been here. Your journalism was vital, and the Democrats’ smear campaign against you two was disgraceful.

Mark Halperin:
Tapper’s right that Democrats attacked those reporters unfairly, denying what was clearly visible to everyone. Biden’s decline wasn’t a secret—you didn’t need private meetings to notice it. It was obvious, despite Biden’s limited schedule and avoidance of press conferences.

But here’s what’s incredible: when the Wall Street Journal published that story in June 2024, before the critical debate, Tapper didn’t celebrate their heroism. Instead, he brought Senator Chris Coons, a Biden ally, on CNN and allowed Coons to dismiss the story almost unchallenged.

Here’s Jake Tapper last June with Chris Coons:

Jake Tapper (clip):
The Journal interviewed 45 people who attended or were briefed on Biden meetings, noting criticism mostly from Republicans, but some Democrats anonymously expressed concern. Have you heard from anyone concerned Biden might be a little slower?

Sen. Chris Coons (clip):
No, none. Is President Biden up to the job? Absolutely. Have colleagues expressed concerns about the character difference between him and Trump? Absolutely. Concerns about Trump versus Biden? Absolutely. I don’t hear much coverage of Trump’s similar slips or mishaps. There’s relentless focus by some media on minor slips by Biden, typical for someone with a demanding 14-hour-a-day schedule.

Mark Halperin:
Again, you must allow guests to speak, but if Tapper truly believed those Journal reporters were heroic, he should’ve pushed back harder, challenged the Biden spin, and defended the reporters. But he didn’t. He didn’t invite Republicans or independent voters to support the Journal’s reporting. Instead, he let Biden’s strongest defender dismiss the story entirely.

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