Ultra-Orthodox Council Launches Consumer Card for 100,000 Families to Combat Cost of Living

In the coming weeks, the Council of Yeshivas, backed by leading rabbis, will launch a new consumer initiative aimed at consolidating the purchasing power of approximately 100,000 ultra-Orthodox families. This move is a response to recent economic sanctions imposed on the community and seeks to alleviate the financial burden on these households.

The initiative, set to begin in early the month of Elul, centers around a dedicated prepaid card named "Malchei Rabbanan." Funded through donations and other financial sources, the card will provide holders with discounts and benefits at major food and retail chains, as well as opportunities to participate in prize draws. Organizers describe the system as functioning "almost like a credit company," leveraging the collective bargaining power of tens of thousands of participants to negotiate lower prices.

Beyond securing favorable terms, the Council plans to establish a monitoring system to continuously track market prices. This mechanism will serve as a direct pressure tool against retailers, demanding price reductions if costs rise. Currently, advanced negotiations are underway with leading food and retail chains to finalize agreements ahead of the card's launch.

This initiative reflects the community leadership's effort to create an independent economic safety net for yeshiva families and Torah scholars, aiming to provide sustained relief amid rising living expenses.