An inspection of the books carried out by a head of the Achva V’Reut nonprofit of a shul in the community of Reut, near Modi’in, revealed over NIS 100,000 missing from the account. The missing money was from donations. The report appeared in a local paper last week.

Officials report NIS 105,000 has vanished from the Sephardi shul’s account. Shul officials explain this was money from pledges, including NIS 18,000 for new chairs and NIS 29,500 for memorial objects and NIS 52,000 for a bar mitzvah.

It appears the shul’s books are not in order and there are partial entries and a lack of transparency. One of the person who recently complained is shul treasurer Yechiel Ratzabi, who detected money was missing. Amos Cohen, who heads the nonprofit’s audit committee confirms the sum that has vanished. The inspection covered a period from 2008-2013. Cohen reported there were many problems with their computer during this same period, and this might account for some of the discrepancies.

A general meeting of the shul was held last week and members were promised answers within two weeks. The shul has decided for the time being not to involve police, hoping to rectify the matter in house. Cohen however explains that as head of the nonprofit, which is a registered charity, he is compelled to notify relevant agencies including police. He explained his resources and abilities are limited and police must be called in to see where the money vanished.

Attorney Avi Sasson, who runs the shul the past two years explains public funds were not put in private pockets but in many cases, persons pledge money but fail to make good on the pledge. This might be the case here too he states. He is confident that no one stole anything but this is a case of unfulfilled pledges and mismanagement at worst. He also stated the issues being probed deal with a period of time that precede his assuming his current position as head of the shul.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)