Kesher Talk

Buy my wife -- please! A wealthy British businessman has offered a husband US$1-million for his wife, sparking outrage in the tight-knit Jewish community of north London and inviting comparisons in the British press to the hit Hollywood film Indecent Proposal.

Brian Maccaba, the director of a computer firm, reportedly made the offer after becoming infatuated with the wife, a teacher at a Jewish pre-school, whom he described as his "true soulmate." Mr. Maccaba sent a letter to the couple, Alan and Nathalie Attar, saying the tax-free bribe was a "golden key" to "set her free" and a chance for Mr. Attar to regain "his bachelor's freedom."

The letter said Mrs. Attar would have to spend the rest of her life with him. His offer was rejected, and the letter has become an exhibit in a defamation trial. Mrs. Attar turned to a rabbi for advice, who reportedly accused Mr. Maccaba of being a known adulterer who chased young Jewish newlyweds. Mr. Maccaba, a 45-year-old married Irish Catholic who converted to Judaism, has countered by suing the rabbi for slander. (The National Post, May 5, 2003)

posted by William @ 5/05/2003 06:26:31 PM