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Page 6 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE December 26, 1986 World!s highest taxpayers Sparks fly as Israel’s tax reform is discussed by Yaacov Ben Yosef Special to I SI JERUSALEM—It is all but certain that the tax reform pack age presented to the Israeli gov ernment this week will have to undergo important changes be fore approval is given. Following Sunday’s stormy 10-hour cabinet meeting, at which the package was first aired, political leaders doubted that Finance Minister Moshe Nissim. sponsor of the plan, would be able to push it through intact. The cabinet planned to hold a second meeting Tuesday after noon but all that was expected to emerge was the establishment of a set of committees to figure out how to revamp the program. There can not be too much more delay because by law the government must present the budget to the Knesset by mid- January, and the budget is de signed to take account of the tax reform package. The package calls for sweeping tax reforms, the first time the heavily burned Israelis will get such a reform. Even though change in the program appears likely, the His- tadrut, the major trade federa tion, still was planning job actions to underline their arguments against the program. Printers, construction workers, hotel workers, clerks and steelworkers unions were expected to vote on labor disputes soon. Sunday's cabinet meeting was marked by angry exchanges be tween members of the Likud bloc. The worst outburst occurred when Minister without Portfolio Moshe Arens noted that families in Israel should be offered high levels of housing and health ser vices. “We need American stan dards in Israel, not African ones," Arens said in a remark that led Deputy Prime Minister David Levy to stalk out of the session. Arens said he had meant no offense even before Levy stormed out. That evening on Israel tele vision Prime Minister Yit/hak Shamir said that the entire cabinet had been saddened by the inci dent created by what he described as Arens’ “slip of the tongue." Almost no one in Israel seems to be against tax reform. That, of course, is because Israelis are among the highest taxpayers in Who is Al Greenfield? by V ida Goldgar Who is Al Greenfield and why has he given so much money to Atlanta’s Hebrew Academy? Those questions have been asked around since last week’s announcement that Greenfield, who lives in Miami Beach, had added SI million in a charitable remainder trust to a sum only slightly less w hich he had already contributed to the Academy over recent years. The connection to Atlanta was established through his wife’s sis ter, Dr. Jean Gabler Greenberg, and Dr. Irving “Greenie” Green berg. Since the very beginning of the Hebrew Academy, the Green bergs have been among its most ardent supporters, an enthusiasm that was transmitted to Al Green field. who is also a benefactor of the Hebrew Academy in Miami. Born in 1903 in Brooklyn, N.Y.. he was the third youngest of eight children. Life has not always treated Al Greenfield kindly. After high school, he joined the family business — manufacturers of women’s ap parel. But after 10 years, the Great Depression hit and the business went into bankruptcy. In 1938, the business was reestab lished with $10,000. For several years he, his sister and his brother operated the bus iness but after his brother’s death, the firm was dissolved in 1970. The following year, he married At Pickett, We Cover Tradition At the Pickett Suite I Totel, Chef Andrew Zweigel and his staff understand and respect the importance of tradition in vour wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah. Whether it's a seated dinner for 10 or cocktails and hor d'oeuvres for 150, we have the experience and know how to make your festive celebration respectfully perfect, and perfect in every respect. And because we understand the importance of familv and friends, we offer special rates on luxurious suites with kits of extra amenities for your out-of-town guests. For a festive affair second to none, call one of our Planning consultants at 9 )6-9999 for infor mation and assistance. 2999 Windv I lill at Powers Furry Road Atlanta, C ieorgia 30067 • 936-9999 Jean Greenberg’s sister, Helen Crystal, and they moved to Miami Beach. Helen Crystal Greenfield's son is comedian Billy Crystal. Greenfield says his mother instilled in him a love of Jewish ness, and to this day he lays tefil- lin and observes the Sabbath. An obviously successful invest ment program has resulted in his being able to carry his generosity to a degree not available to most but, he says, adversity taught him the value of a dollar. Refer ring to the charitable remainder trusts, he says, “1 get back more than 1 give and the academies can carry on their dedicated work in helping shape a vibrant Jewish community.” Al Greenfield NOW OPEN CHU’S DYNASTY Contemporary Chinese Cuisine Elegant Dining in the “Heart” of Dunwoody Full Bar Service-Fast Takeout-Reservations Accepted LUNCH: Tues.-Friday 11:30a.m.-2:30 p.m. DINNER: Tues.-Thurs. 2:30-10:00 p.m. Sat. 4:30-10:30 p m FRIDAY: 2:30-10:30 p.m. SUNDAY: 12:00-10:00 p.m. 5554 Chamblee-Dunw/oody Rd. «/-«/■ Dunwoody Hall Shopping Center 095-/07o the world, turning over 60 per cent of their income above 3,181 Israelis shekels ($2,120) a month. For the past 18 months Israel has embarked on a belt-tightening recovery program to reduce triple-digit inflation to more acceptable levels. Now that the program has largely succeeded, the National Unity Government has targeted productivity as its next major goal—and it wants to take a cue from the new Ameri can tax reform program to spur Israelis to work harder. The only trouble is that repre sentatives of the bottom rung of the economic ladder feel that the poor will be hurt excessively by the new program. No one who earns less than 800 shekels ($533) a month will have to pay income taxes. The existing ceiling has been 650 shekels ($433) a month. But what has people furious is the fact that, under the new program, the poor will be charged for certain social services for the first time, including health and education costs. The poor have received sup port from the Histradrut, the Labor Party and segments ol the Likud. Hence, the call for changes in the package. Under the new program, any one earning above 2,000 shekels a month ($1,333) will pay only 45 percent taxes on the amount above that figure: Before that someone earning income above 3,181 shekels ($2,120) a month would be in the 60 percent tax bracket. The poor argue that the rich will benefit immensely from this reform while they will suffer. One of the more controversial parts of the package calls for parents to pay for their children's education rather than the present free education system. The fees would be for kindergarten through high school. Under the new plan, parents would be charged between 100 and 410 Israeli shekels ($60 and $250) a month, depending upon how many children they have in school. Parents with a monthly income of less than 300 Israeli shekels ($200) would be exempt. 210pharrrd -atlanta ga 30305 • (4ol} 231-1556^^77 Custom Interior Design Services Available