Hundreds Of Residents Meet To Discuss Ways Of Getting Rid Of Mahwah Eruv: Report

MAHWAH, NJ — Hundreds of residents attended an informal gathering Monday to develop a plan for dealing with a Jewish organization that had religious markers installed throughout town that violate town law.

The more than 200 people at the meeting were encouraged to volunteer their time to aid in the effort to get eruv removed, vosizneias.com reported.

An eruv symbolically extends the private domain of Jewish households into public areas and allows Orthodox Jews to participate in activities normally banned on the Sabbath. PVC pipes were used as markers.

RELATED: Town Tells Jewish Organization To Remove Eruv Markers

Volunteer Robert Ferguson told the website that, "we do not not want these people living in our neighborhoods. We want them following the law."

Township Zoning Officer Michael J. Kelly sent a letter to the South Monsey Eruv Fund notifying the organization that the PVC pipes it had installed on utility poles violates the town's zoning ordinance.

The pipes are the same as signs, which may not be placed on utility poles.

Kelly states that the eruv must begin being removed by July 28 and it must be completely removed by Aug. 4. If the deadlines are not met, Kelly said it will be recommended that summonses be issued. Kelly also wants notification in writing when the removal begins.

More than 1,200 signed an online petition demanding that Rockland Electric remove the pipes and prohibit any future installations.

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