47.8 F
New York
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Toms River Residents Work with Orthodox Jewish Community, Allows Eruvim

Related Articles

-Advertisement-

Must read

Eruvim in some New Jersey towns have drawn controversy and created hurdles for Orthodox Jewish communities. Toms River is trying to go about things differently as the township works with the large Orthodox community on a resolution.

The Asbury Park Press reports that the Township Council on Tuesday decided to enter into an agreement with the Tallymawr Eruv Association, allowing construction of an eruv over Benjamin Street in the North Dover development.

The Asbury Park Press quotes Township Administrator Donald A. Guardian as saying the association needs to use “township airspace” to build an eruv between two flag poles that the association will erect in the neighborhood because “there are no fences or utility poles” that can be used to build an eruv there. hence the need to build it between two flag poles. He also believes the township benefits because it’s free from all liability in case anything dangerous happens, something that could become more probable based on the increase in Orthodox Jews purchasing Toms River houses. The more eruvin, the more likely something could break and harm someone.

The community isn’t entirely free to construct erivin at will however. Jersey Central Power & Light Co. has to authorize eruvin installation if the eruvin required the power company’s electricity wire polls. The township checks to make sure all parties follow this rule.

In other New Jersey towns, like Jackson and Mahwah, officials have reacted much differently to the erection of eruvin, according to Asbury Park Press.

In Mahwah, town officials contended that an eruv extending from Rockland County into Mahwah was illegally built and needed the town’s consent.

But after the Bergen-Rockland Eruv Association sued the town, Mahwah settled the case earlier this year, allowing the eruv to stay. The town actually wound up paying the association at least $10,000 after settling a lawsuit brought on by the Bergen-Rockland Eruv Association.

Orthodox Jewish advocacy group Agudath Israel sued the Town of Jackson on grounds of anti-Semitism, after Jackson effectively banned construction of eruvin, the Asbury Park Press reports.

In December, Jackson’s Township Council approved a resolution allowing Orthodox Jews to seek permission from utility companies to build eruvin in town.

An eruv, boundary line that marks the public area where Orthodox Jews may participate in activities normally prohibited on the Sabbath, surrounds a home on Vermont Avenue in Lakewood.

The Asbury Park Press describes an eruv as “simply a wire, usually strung between multiple utility poles that have strips of plastic piping attached to it,” going on to explain how Jewish law allows eruvim to extend home boundaries into the surrounding area, “which allows Orthodox Jews to carry everything from keys to children.”

By: Josh Santis

balance of natureDonate

Latest article

- Advertisement -