Israeli Charity 'Chance for a Drop of Happiness' Faces Court Dissolution Over Fraudulent Fundraising Scheme

The Israeli Registrar of Associations has filed a petition last week at the Tel Aviv District Court to dissolve the charity 'Chance for a Drop of Happiness,' established in May 2023. Although the organization’s official mission was to assist patients, disabled individuals, and their families, investigations revealed a fraudulent operation exploiting donors. German Zwirman, who operated behind the scenes without official registration, orchestrated the scheme by recruiting random individuals to sign founding documents for payment, serving as frontmen without real involvement.

One example cited involved an 18-year-old woman working at a kiosk in Dizengoff Center who was paid 500 shekels to be listed as a founder and board member, with her signature being purely symbolic. After formal registration, the charity began collecting donations through misleading charity boxes placed across Tel Aviv, including Dizengoff Center and various supermarkets, labeled with the false claim "Saving the lives of children with cancer." However, the charity conducted no public activities and did not spend any funds on its stated goals.

The Registrar’s investigation found the charity lacked a functioning board or oversight mechanisms. Registered officials were unaware of donation amounts, bank accounts, or fund usage. The charity also failed to submit legally required reports since its inception. After ignoring warnings and document requests, and with Zwirman having left Israel in April 2025, the Registrar sought court intervention to stop the flow of funds to private individuals under the guise of philanthropy. Attempts to reach Zwirman for comment were unsuccessful.