A SYNAGOGUE is seeking permission to erect a spiritual enclosure that would allow Orthodox Jews to move about the area more freely on the Sabbath.
The proposed eruv would turn the area contained within into a “private dwelling” in the eyes of Orthodox Jews. The Torah forbids the carrying of objects outside of a private dwelling on the Sabbath.
Barnet Synagogue’s Rabbi Barry Lerer said that without an eruv in the area, the Sabbath, which falls between Friday and Saturday evening, was an awkward time for many Jewish residents.
“An eruv will allow people in our community to push prams to synagogue on the Sabbath, bring their prayer books and their shawls,” he said.
The eruv will be created using existing local features, such as the Northern Line fences, and walls. Where the links are broken “gateways” are created using poles linked by pieces of wire.
“Unless you know it’s there you’re not going to notice it,” Rabbi Lerer said.
It is hoped that the New Barnet eruv will link up with another one proposed in Woodside Park.
This in turn would link with one in Golders Green, meaning that, should they wish, an Orthodox Jew could push a pram from New Barnet down to Cricklewood.
People will be able to check the eruv boundaries on the synagogue’s website. There will also be news if an eruv has been broken.
“I hope it will encourage Orthodox families to move into the area. I think the future of the Orthodox Jewish community depends on these,” he added.
The Hampstead Garden Suburb eruv was the first to be erected in the UK in 2002, and was met with opponents, who claimed the enclave would upset the balance of a multicultural area. Many of the objectors were secular Jews.
Rabbi Lerer said no opposition was raised during the synagogue’s consultation with residents, although Barnet Council’s planning site has registered 49 responses against the plans.
“Some people’s concern is that all of a sudden the area they are living in will turn into a Jewish ghetto, but that’s not going to happen,” he said.
A decision on the planning permission is expected in November.