South-east Sydney eruv up and running
Observant Jews in Sydney's south-east can finally carry on Shabbat after it was announced that the area's long-awaited eruv has become operational.
OBSERVANT Jews in Sydney’s south-east can finally carry on Shabbat after it was announced that the area’s long-awaited eruv has become operational.
The new Southern Sydney Eruv connects to the existing Bondi Eruv and is a much-needed development for the area, particularly for young families.
“I’m really excited,” Coogee Synagogue’s Rabbi Elozer Gestetner told The AJN this week.
Stating that the eruv will enhance the joy of Shabbat and make it “easier and more comfortable” for local residents, Rabbi Gestetner also hopes it will be a drawcard for more and more people to move to the area.
“We hope the eruv will be a pull factor to help encourage young families to move further afield to suburbs like Coogee and Maroubra,” he said.
“We trust that this will be a change in the demographic and outlook of the wider Sydney Jewish community.”
Maroubra Synagogue’s Rabbi Yossi Friedman was also ecstatic about the news.
“I am extremely excited and proud to have an eruv in our area,” Rabbi Friedman told The AJN.
He believes the eruv will transform the lives of observant families in the area “as simple things such as carrying house keys, prayer books and pushing prams will now be possible”.
“It will also play a significant role in the decision-making process of other observant families when considering moving into this area,” Rabbi Friedman said.
Noting that the construction and operation of this eruv is an “enormous achievement and will further strengthen, grow and unite our Sydney Jewish community”, he added, “I say mazal tov to all those who worked so hard and for so many years towards achieving this.”
The Southern Sydney Eruv joins onto the southern boundary of the Bondi Eruv, and runs until Maroubra Road, Maroubra.
It includes Montefiore Home’s Randwick campus, as well as Prince of Wales Hospital.
Professor Bernie Tuch, who has been a member of Coogee Synagogue for 20 years, described the eruv as “a major boon” for the community.
“It enhances the collegiality of both Coogee and Maroubra Synagogues,” he said, adding that he can now wheel his grandchild to shule.
EVAN ZLATKIS
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