Holocaust coupon, anyone?

Online coupon site offers '70% discount' on donations to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum

Reuters | Published: 04.20.12, 21:12

It seems that we have grown so accustomed to finding our email box swamped with digital coupons that some of us probably missed what might just be this year's most surprising coupon - "70% discount on donations to Yad Vashem" courtesy of deal-of-the-day website Groupon.

The site offers users the opportunity to purchase a clear conscious and feel good about themselves for alleviating the misery of Holocaust survivors, even if only by a bit.

Presenting the unique coupon, the site wrote it aims to promote "the commemoration of the Holocaust, the consolidation of Yad Vashem's core activity and the passing of the torch to future generations." The coupon also included the customary "Buy it For a Friend" gift card option.

At the time of writing this item, some 1,000 coupons have been snatched up. The coupon was available only for Holocaust Remembrance Day, so those who missed out on the "deal" will just have to donate money, sans discount, to Yad Vashem.

Groupon's PR agency, Ran Rahav Communication and Public Relations, which has gone through the trouble of issuing a special press release regarding the unusual deal of the day, commented that: "The donation is at the sum of NIS 20 (roughly $ 6 and will be transferred in full to Yad Vashem. Groupon merely serves as a platform for publicizing the deal, which is a joint endeavor with Yad Vashem itself. Groupon notes that it will not increase the donations on behalf of purchasers; the 70% discount label that appeared on the offer is a system default."