Linden, NJ – Rabbi Joshua Hess, spiritual leader of Congregation Anshe Chesed in Linden, presented a plaque with a one dollar bill to Mayor Mark Smith of the Township of Cranford, to formalize the resolution adopted by the township last month, authorizing the Linden Jewish Community to “rent” the township of Cranford for religious purposes, to be used as part of their Eruv.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
An Eruv, as it is referred to in the Hebrew language, is a ritual border that is created mainly by utilizing existing telephone and utility poles around a certain area which allows traditional orthodox Jews to carry on the Sabbath.
The resolution was adopted in 1991 in the cities of Rahway, Clark, Roselle, and Linden, and now Cranford has been added to that list. Mayor Smith noted that he was happy to adopt a resolution to address an important need in the community, and stated that the plaque will be displayed at the Township’s headquarters.
Anshe Chesed is an Orthodox congregation that was established in 1913. It continues to be the center of Jewish life in Linden. In recent years the community has welcomed a Yeshiva of 60 students and has seen in influx of young families moving into the community, which will ensure its vibrancy for many years to come. Visit anshechesed.org.
Were is the shull? I’m a lot in that area
As a frequent guest in Linden i amazed accomplishments of rabbi Hess in the short while he has been there. Im sure the Mikva is coming next!!..
Hatzlach
The Mayor and the City are to be congratulated for their cooperation. Instead of Tenafly, where hundreds of thousands of dollars had to be spent on litigation (that Tenafly eventually lost on appeal), these people were smart enough to understand it is really no big deal for the City to cooperate. But at least the Yidden in Tenafly set an important precedent and an example.
All info about the shul is on the web site,
Yasher Koach Rabbi Hess on this amazing step! Expanding and improving an Eruv is a great thing for the community, and you are making a true Kiddush Hashem! We wish lots of Hatzlachah to Linden as it continues to grow and bring more families to the community. Also, mazal tov to Yeshiva Zichron Leyma – “The Linden Yeshiva” on the new eruv. For anyone interested in watching the shul grow, follow @anshechesed and @rabbihess on twitter. Mazal tov!
Mikva next? Mikva is supposed to be a first.
Rabbi Hess is doing great work for his shul’s congregants. For sure, more young families will flock to Linden as the community will have more to offer frum Yidden. Yasher Koach to Rabbi Hess!
There are several mikvas within easy drives, in Elizabeth and Highland Park, although I believe that Shabbos/Yom tov has been a problem. (We have friends in Linden.)
What does cranford have to do with linden? They r 2 seperate municipalities?
Yes, but the eruv that covers Linden also extends into one corner of Cranford. This was done to a) make the eruv easier to maintain by relying on pre-existing fences, and b) to encapsulate the Homewood Suites hotel into the permanent eruv, therefore making the Linden community an attractive local getaway-for-a-shabbos option
They are working right now on building a closer mikvah. The eruv was there but is now being upgraded. Everything is being put in place for growth. (13 young orth families moved to Linden in the last 3 years and it keeps growing!) March 5-6, Anshe Chesed is hosting a shabbaton for prospective couples and families – see info at http://www.anshechesed.org/shabbaton.