Morris 'Moshe' Talansky (1933-2025) was an American-Israeli businessman, financier, and Orthodox rabbi known for his involvement in fundraising for Israeli political causes and his central role in one of Israel's most prominent corruption scandals. Born in the United States, Talansky built a career in finance and philanthropy, focusing on support for Jewish and Israeli institutions. He co-founded the New Jerusalem Foundation in the 1990s alongside Ehud Olmert, who later became Israel's Prime Minister (2006-2009). The foundation aimed to promote economic development in Jerusalem, but Talansky's activities extended to direct financial support for politicians, including members of the Likud party and later Olmert's campaigns. As an American-Israeli dual citizen, he operated between New York and Jerusalem, leveraging his networks in the Orthodox Jewish community to raise funds for pro-Israel initiatives.

Talansky's reputation became entangled in controversy during the 2008 'Talansky Affair,' a major corruption scandal that contributed to Olmert's resignation. Talansky testified that he had delivered envelopes containing tens of thousands of dollars in cash to Olmert over nearly two decades, totaling over $150,000, ostensibly for legitimate campaign expenses but allegedly including personal use. These payments, often in hotel rooms, raised suspicions of bribery and illegal fundraising. While Talansky was granted immunity as a state witness in exchange for his cooperation, he faced criticism and investigations himself for potential money laundering and tax evasion related to his fundraising methods. The scandal, widely covered by Israeli and international media, highlighted issues of foreign influence in Israeli politics and led to Olmert's conviction on related charges in 2014, though Talansky avoided prosecution.

Throughout his life, Talansky maintained a low public profile outside of philanthropy and legal proceedings, with limited details on his personal life available. He was accused by critics of exploiting his rabbinical status to facilitate opaque financial transactions, and his testimony was scrutinized for inconsistencies. Talansky passed away in 2025, leaving a legacy tied to both charitable efforts for Israel and the exposure of political corruption. Allegations of impropriety persisted posthumously in discussions of influence networks between American donors and Israeli leaders.