The Honorable Limor Livnat
Minister of Communications
The Knesset Jerusalem

Dear Minister Livnat,

Shalom Aleichem! My name is Reuven Prager. My work of the last thirteen years has been researching to restore ancient Israelite customs.

My achievements represent the next generation of religious Zionism, where the emphasis shifts from pioneering the Land to pioneering our culture to be in harmony with being on that Land.

My work will pave the way for giving Zionism a new sense of direction in a post-final status Israel, and G-d willing, inspire future generations towards a wholesome, life-giving vision, or as we call it: Geulah Shleimah.

We read in Second Chronicles that when the government of Yoash restored the Holy Half-Shekel in his day, "the (Government) Ministers and the People rejoiced." This was, and again will be, a rejoicing that does not come on the back of any vanquished, and is unlike any we have experienced thus far in the State of Israel; a universal rejoicing for the whole House of Israel, within our borders and transcending them, that will likewise be spoken of a thousand years from now, remembering those who had a hand in restoring it.

At this point in our history, when we are forced to take something so precious from our people, it would behoove us to give something equally as precious back to our people. A coin. A small silver coin.

Satisfying without antagonizing, it will have the added affect of being the equalizer for our people, bringing together the right and left, religious and unaffiliated, putting every Jew on an equal footing. A healing for our people, a shift in direction.

A complete archive of the restoration project can be found on the Internet at; israelvisit.co.il/beged-ivri .

As it is illogical that Jews living in the State of Israel should be penalized by having to pay 17% more for their Half-Shekels than Jews outside the Land, and to ensure availability throughout the country, we turned to Mr. Moshe Teri of the Postal Authority, to examine the possibility of selling the Half-Shekels in Israel through the Post Office branches throughout the country.

Following a positive reply in writing, and subsequent conversations with the Postal Authority's legal advisors, it is clear that the Postal Authority is mandated to sell the Half-Shekels under section 24 of the Postal Authority Law as a "service on behalf of the Government."

I am turning to you, Minister Livnat, to sponsor this historical undertaking, and together with a Labor co-sponsor, showing bi-partisan support, present this to the government for adoption so that the Postal Authority can be the vehicle for the distribution of the Half-Shekels in the State of Israel.

As a viewing of my website will show, a considerable amount of work is in progress. I will be happy to transfer all my files to the government and to volunteer my work for the next 15 months to oversee this through to fruition, on behalf of the government. I am confident that the funds required to restore the Holy Half-Shekel could be raised through donations if the project is government sponsored, and would not be a burden on existing budgets.

I am looking forward to your positive reply.

G-d Bless,

Reuven Prager
Beged Ivri

cc:

Mr. David Bar Ilan, Prime Minister's Office
Mr. Moshe Klirs, IGCMC
Mr. Michael Kahanov, Brink's
Mr. Herzl Bar-Mag, Postal Authority

1 Shevat 5757 (9/1/97)

Reuven Prager
111 Agrippas Street
P.O.Box 28052
Jerusalem 91280

Greetings,

Acknowledge receipt of your letter of 30/12/96, to Minister of Communications Limor Livnat.

With Blessings,

Alona Arieli-Lahav
Ministerial Assistant

The Honorable Limor Livnat
Minister of Communications
The Knesset
Jerusalem

Dear Minister Livnat,

Shalom. For a Minister of Communications you sure don't communicate much. We received a longer letter from the Prison Authority.

We have restored the ancient custom of donating a pure silver Holy Half Shekel to Jerusalem to commence with Purim of 5758. We intend to sell the ceremonial coins through Post Office branches throughout the country; this according to section 24 of the Postal Authority Law as a "service on behalf of the Government."

We need your participation as Minister of Communications, responsible for the Postal Authority. We have only 12 months to make this work and every day is precious.

You can consult with Bobby Brown of the Prime Minister's Office as he is familiar with the project.

May I please meet with someone in your office to clarify what needs to be done to recognize this as a "service on behalf of the Government" thereby enabling the Post Authority's participation.

G-d Bless,

Reuven Prager
Beged Ivri

cc:

Mr. Bobby Brown, Prime Minister's Office
Mr. Michael Kahanov, Brink's