The Northern Eruv - Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an Eruv?
  Eruv means ‘to integrate’. An Eruv is simply a practical method of denoting the area within which carrying objects, pushing strollers and wheelchairs, is permitted on the Sabbath and Holy Days. The Sabbath commences every Friday at sunset, and concludes at nightfall on Saturday.

• How is it built?
  Building an Eruv does NOT involve the construction of a wall. 85% of the Eruv is created with existing infrastructure such as Telstra, Optus and Energy Australia poles and wiring (all of whom have endorsed the construction of the Northern Eruv).
  New infrastructure has been kept to a minimum and will only be required in very small areas of the Northern Eruv. All necessary consents, permitting the construction of infrastructure on private land, have been received from residents whose properties border the proposed Eruv boundary. The Northern Eruv is fully insured with public liability insurance.

• Is there a visual impact?
  NO. The Northern Eruv will not be apparent, even to the keen and knowledgeable eye. The impact to the environment is negligible and completely unobtrusive.

• Why do we need this Eruv?
  Without an Eruv, Jewish law prohibits carrying in streets and parks on the Sabbath. With an Eruv, residents of the St Ives Jewish community will be able to carry objects to Synagogue, take their children to the park, push the elderly in a wheelchair, and carry other items when visiting family and friends.

• Will it make a difference to my life?
  The Eruv will not, in any way, impact the lives of St Ives residents. The structure will go unnoticed by the public and have NO impact on their lives. However, the lives of members of the St Ives Jewish community will be significantly enhanced. The Eruv is an essential provision for improving the quality of life for the St Ives Jewish community, uniting families and friends on the Sabbath.

• Do any other cities in the world have an Eruv?
  Almost every major city in the world has an Eruv – Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Washington D.C (which includes the Whitehouse), London, Paris, Johannesburg, Antwerp, Strasbourg, Perth, Melbourne, as well as the Sydney Eruv in Bondi and surrounding suburbs.

• Who is funding the Northern Eruv?
  The Northern Eruv is completely funded by the Jewish community of St Ives, with no financial burden on tax payers or impact on Council rates.