Westhampton Beach, NY – A group opposed to the creation of a religious boundary in Westhampton Beach is circulating an informational pamphlet, two blank petitions, and a copy of an editorial that supports its stance on the issue to homeowners in the village.
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Jewish People Opposed to the Eruv, a group opposed to the creation of a largely invisible religious boundary, called an eruv, that is being proposed by the Hampton Synagogue, sent out the mailing to approximately 2,000 addresses in Westhampton Beach last week. The pamphlet states that the group objects to the eruv because it will “forever alter the character of our village, change its economy and challenge the religious tolerance that has long been integral to Westhampton Beach.”
The two petitions, both of which object to the Eruv, are blank and encourage homeowners to collect signatures. The petitions—which are identical to the ones circulated at the group’s last meeting in mid-October—are addressed to LIPA and Verizon, and the Westhampton Beach Village Board.
The Hampton Synagogue has not yet re-filed its application for the eruv with the Westhampton Beach Village Board. The synagogue first presented its plans to the village in February, before withdrawing its formal application that asks the board to approve the boundary’s creation in May, after community members raised concerns about the proposal. At the time, synagogue leaders said they would re-file the application in the fall. They have yet to do so.
Arnold Sheiffer, the president of Jewish People Opposed to the Eruv, noted that he has already received positive responses from the mass mailing. “We’ve mainly gotten phone calls,” Mr. Sheiffer said.
He added that he hopes to secure at least 500 signatures on the petitions, matching the number that his group had already collected last month.
“There are no open meetings planned at the present time or in the foreseeable future,” Mr. Sheiffer said, referring to his 300-plus member strong organization. “We’re taking other actions,” he added, declining to elaborate further.
I didnt know there are Jews there that WANT this eruv. Learn something every day!!!!
They need to review the case of the Eruv in Tenafly, NJ. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Jews wanting the Eruv!Unfortunately not the same Circuit, but that decision will be helpful.
Maybe they want to be machmir?
Apparently, where ever they want to force an eruv on a town, there’s big machlokes coming out of it. is it worth it?
“…and challenge the religious tolerance that has long been integral to Westhampton Beach.”
What the heck religious tolerance are they talking about?
If they put up the Eruv, nobody will ever know the difference. these people are bigots, plain and simple.
Every day I’m getting the message more and more that the citizens of the United States are increasingly more intolerant of religion and religious expression.
It seems as thought American Jews are adopting this stance as well and are increasingly uncomfortable to open expression of Judaism.
Am I misinterpreting this?
Someone should try to open a frum camp out there – that would get their freier intolerant goats!
I thought at first the issue was about yidden who wanted to be more machmir but now we see that its just a bunch of self hating jews who think some wire that no one will see will affect the community. wat a disgrace! I can understand if they didn’t want it for religious reasons but their reasoning is disgusting.
Must be a lot of self-hating Jews living there that anything Jewish would remind them of their Jewish roots.
Two questions..First….Can you REALLY see the Eruv? Second…Do you really want all those strollers around town?
I find this case VERY interesting. It is very similar to the Salem, Oregon story regarding the Chanuka Menorah on the same screen. In both cases, a frum community wants to do something on public land. in both cases, the city / state says “no”. Now look at how different the comments are in response to both articles. regarding the menorah, the general opinion seems to be “we are in golus, how dare we infuriate the goyim and redecorate their space?”. Regarding the Eruv, the general opinion seems to be ” government hates religioin, what is so wrong with having an eruv”. So I’d like to hear responses on why regarding the Menorah, the crown here seems so against it, but the eruv issue is just fine? like how come nobody says that “there’s no mitzvah that says we have to build an eruv, and this is only causing goyim to hate us”?
when a jew strays from g-d he begins to despize those that follow hashem
politeness,ethics & tolerance is what they preach in the hamptons but this is the real them ( although definitly not all)