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Newsletter : 9fax1116.txt
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>JN Nov. 16, 1999, Vol. 7, No. 213
Bostoner Rebbe Takes Issue with Invitations of Love
By IsraelWire
A recent trend toward altering the wording of Jewish wedding invitations, at the expense of both personal modesty and religious faith, has come under attack by the Bostener Rebbe of Boston. The target of the Rebbe's displeasure is the replacement of the traditional phrase, "Im Bas Gilo" (to the woman of his destined fate), with "Im B'Cheeras Leebo" (the choice of his heart).
Economist Frenkel Resigns
By Ross Dunn (VOA-Jerusalem)
The head of Israel's central bank, Jacob Frenkel, the man who steered his country out of high inflation, has surprised the financial markets by resigning from his post. The Israeli government has asked an economics professor to become his successor.
Frenkel's tight monetary policies have been praised worldwide for driving down Israeli inflation and at the same time condemned locally for keeping the economy trapped in a slowdown for the past four years.
Inflation in Israel was running at about 3 percent a month when he first took up his post nearly nine years ago. Israel's inflation rate is now down to about 3 percent annually.
In light of these figures and an expected upturn in the Israeli economy, Frenkel told a news conference in Jerusalem that he is bowing out, satisfied he has largely achieved the goals he had set out when he took the job.
"We are on the highway we want to follow. We are still not at the final destination, but we are on the highway. If we proceed without premature exit, then the car (the economy) will go."
Frenkel's resignation does not take effect until January, but some economic analysts feared that his quitting would jolt both the Tel Aviv stock market and the local currency - the shekel. So far, such fears have proved unfounded. Overall, stocks in Israel Monday fluctuated within a range of 1 percent and the shekel remained steady against the US dollar at the end of trading.
Despite speculation that Frenkel is preparing to rejoin the International Monetary Fund, he told reporters he still has not decided on another post. The Israeli government moved quickly to name a replacement for Mr. Frenkel.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak asked a professor of economics at Harvard University and Tel Aviv University, Elhanan Helpman, to become the next Bank of Israel Governor.
Frenkel says he agrees with the choice. He says that Helpman is an excellent candidate and a professional economist "of the first order."
Father Beats Child Into Unconsciousness
By IsraelWire
A 47-year-old Yavne resident on the Sabbath began beating his 5-year-old son who was disturbing his rest, until the boy lapsed into unconsciousness.
The father shouted from his bed, instructing his son to be quiet, but the boy did not comply. The father got out of bed and began hitting the boy on his head until he lapsed into a coma. The mother phoned police.
Deputy Superintendent Itzik Issraf of the Rehovot police ordered the father placed under arrest. The boy, who was taken to Kaplan Hospital in Rehovot regained consciousness later in the day and is reported in good physical condition.
The father admitted to his actions during interrogation and it was learned it was not the first time he physically abused his son. The father was brought before a court Sunday to extend his remand.
Iran Concerned Over Israeli Blasting in Dead Sea
By IsraelWire
Iran has expressed concern over explosions carried out by Israel in the Dead Sea last week in which scientists were creating fake earthquakes to enhance their ability to monitor quakes in the future.
According to a Reuters report quoting the IRNA News Agency, the blasts are feared to be related to nuclear weapons testing by Iranian officials.
As reported earlier by IsraelWire, scientists, in cooperation with agencies including the National Infrastructure Ministry, detonated three controlled blasts involving five tons of explosives last week.
France Warns Iran on Fate of Arrested Jews
By IsraelWire
French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin has told Iran that executing 13 Iranian Jews held on suspicion of spying for Israel would bar Teheran from improving its relations with the West.
Jospin, replying to pleas for help from French Jewish leaders, said the accusations against the arrested men, including a rabbi and a 16-year-old boy, were "totally fabricated." The 13 have been in incarceration since April, being charged with spying for Israel and the United States.
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