(IsraelNN.com) In the wake of a large rally last month in Tel Aviv in support of strengthening Sabbath observance in Israel, the Poalei Agudat Yisrael Bank has issued what it calls a "Shabbat Card". The unique credit card will not be operational on Shabbat and will automatically give cardholders benefits and discounts at businesses that observe the Sabbath.
The Shabbat Card is issued to anyone opening an account at the bank's 13 national branches. To encourage new customers, the bank is offering special terms on new accounts, along with the Shabbat Card.
One of the initiators of the idea is Rabbi Raphael Halperin, head of a successful optical chain. He told the crowd gathered in Tel Aviv last month, "No more just yelling, 'Shabbos!' That has no teeth. We are a strong economic force of half-a-million people."
The Shabbat Card is issued to anyone opening an account at the bank's 13 national branches. To encourage new customers, the bank is offering special terms on new accounts, along with the Shabbat Card.
One of the initiators of the idea is Rabbi Raphael Halperin, head of a successful optical chain. He told the crowd gathered in Tel Aviv last month, "No more just yelling, 'Shabbos!' That has no teeth. We are a strong economic force of half-a-million people."