SHAAR HASHOMAYIM ERUV
Monday, February 6th, 2012
The Eruv has not yet been verified for this week. Please check back later on Friday.
The Eruv has not yet been verified for this week. Please check back later on Friday.
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Construction has started!
Plans for Shaar Hashomayim ERUV Finalized
Thank you
(Westmount, May 26, 2008): City Council unanimously ratified the Eruv. Construction started on May 28.
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Plans for Shaar Hashomayim ERUV Finalized
(Westmount, May 15, 2008): Congregation Shaar Hashomayim announced today that it will be creating a symbolic domain known in Hebrew as an ERUV. It has worked with the City of Westmount to assure that it complies with the City’s bylaws. The agreement is to be ratified by City Council at its meeting on Monday, May 26.
According to Jewish tradition, one of the categories of work which the Bible prohibits on the Sabbath is “carrying” between a public and private domain, as well as transporting objects within a public domain. The idea of an ERUV is to make a symbolic domain which joins together (the word ERUV means “blending together”) all of the various domains and properties within one enclosed area so that the entire area can be intellectually considered to be one large usable entity to comply with Jewish tradition.
“By supporting this initiative,” noted Lynn Eltes, ERUV Chairperson, “Westmounters are enhancing the City’s reputation as an open and respectful community. Jewish residents will now be able to observe the letter and spirit of the Sabbath in a very pleasant way. In practical terms it means we will be able to carry items within the ERUV, which enhance the Sabbath spirit, such as food and reading material, or to push a baby carriage or wheelchair. Our hope is that the ERUV will heighten the sense of the holiness and beauty of the Sabbath while fostering a stronger sense of community among Jewish and non-Jewish residents of Westmount.”
The ERUV, which will be marked by a very thin line on the top of existing utility poles, will be barely noticeable to passers-by and will have no impact on the rights and welfare of other Westmount residents. It will stretch from The Boulevard to the north, the train tracks behind St. Catherine to the south, Clarke/Mountain to the east and Claremont/Lansdowne to the west. All costs related to the setting up, maintenance, and insurance of the ERUV will be covered by Congregation Shaar Hashomayim.
The ERUV, which will be built over the next few weeks, will be fully checked every Friday. Westmounters who wish to confirm that the ERUV is operational should call the Shaar Hashomayim ERUV Hotline, 514-937-9474, ext. 109. Residents seeking more information should contact Rabbi Scheier at 514-937-9471or visit the website at www.shaarhashomayim.org. In addition, neighbours are invited to meet with clergy and representatives of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim to learn more about the initiative on the evening of June 5 at the synagogue from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ERUV’s have been established in cities with Jewish communities for centuries, and hundreds of communities around the world have an ERUV today. Canadian cities with ERUVs include Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax. On the island of Montreal, ERUVs have been established in Cote St-Luc, Hampstead, Dollard-des-ormeaux, Ville St. Laurent and Ville Mont Royal, Cote-des-Neiges and Mile End.
Montreal's Congregation Shaar Hashomayim is Canada's most historic traditional synagogue, celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2006. It is the second oldest Jewish house of worship in the country and the oldest in the same location, its building in Westmount since 1923. More than 1,500 member families, some 4,000 individuals, gather to pray, celebrate holidays and attend social and cultural events on a regular basis.
According to Jewish tradition, one of the categories of work which the Bible prohibits on the Sabbath is “carrying” between a public and private domain, as well as transporting objects within a public domain. The idea of an ERUV is to make a symbolic domain which joins together (the word ERUV means “blending together”) all of the various domains and properties within one enclosed area so that the entire area can be intellectually considered to be one large usable entity to comply with Jewish tradition.
“By supporting this initiative,” noted Lynn Eltes, ERUV Chairperson, “Westmounters are enhancing the City’s reputation as an open and respectful community. Jewish residents will now be able to observe the letter and spirit of the Sabbath in a very pleasant way. In practical terms it means we will be able to carry items within the ERUV, which enhance the Sabbath spirit, such as food and reading material, or to push a baby carriage or wheelchair. Our hope is that the ERUV will heighten the sense of the holiness and beauty of the Sabbath while fostering a stronger sense of community among Jewish and non-Jewish residents of Westmount.”
The ERUV, which will be marked by a very thin line on the top of existing utility poles, will be barely noticeable to passers-by and will have no impact on the rights and welfare of other Westmount residents. It will stretch from The Boulevard to the north, the train tracks behind St. Catherine to the south, Clarke/Mountain to the east and Claremont/Lansdowne to the west. All costs related to the setting up, maintenance, and insurance of the ERUV will be covered by Congregation Shaar Hashomayim.
The ERUV, which will be built over the next few weeks, will be fully checked every Friday. Westmounters who wish to confirm that the ERUV is operational should call the Shaar Hashomayim ERUV Hotline, 514-937-9474, ext. 109. Residents seeking more information should contact Rabbi Scheier at 514-937-9471or visit the website at www.shaarhashomayim.org. In addition, neighbours are invited to meet with clergy and representatives of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim to learn more about the initiative on the evening of June 5 at the synagogue from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ERUV’s have been established in cities with Jewish communities for centuries, and hundreds of communities around the world have an ERUV today. Canadian cities with ERUVs include Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax. On the island of Montreal, ERUVs have been established in Cote St-Luc, Hampstead, Dollard-des-ormeaux, Ville St. Laurent and Ville Mont Royal, Cote-des-Neiges and Mile End.
Montreal's Congregation Shaar Hashomayim is Canada's most historic traditional synagogue, celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2006. It is the second oldest Jewish house of worship in the country and the oldest in the same location, its building in Westmount since 1923. More than 1,500 member families, some 4,000 individuals, gather to pray, celebrate holidays and attend social and cultural events on a regular basis.
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Thank you
This project evolved over a two year period. Appreciation for the tireless commitment to ensure that the eruv becomes a reality should be highlighted.
Committee chairman
Lynn Eltes
Eruv specialist
Rabbi Michael Whitman
President Congregation Shaar Hashamayim
Alvin Fagen
Mayor City of Westmount
Karin Marks
Director General City of Westmount
Bruce St-Louis
Head of Communications City of Westmount
Brigitte Stock
City of Westmount
City councilors
It is truly because of their dedication and commitment that we are able to enjoy a higher level of shared community values.
Committee chairman
Lynn Eltes
Eruv specialist
Rabbi Michael Whitman
President Congregation Shaar Hashamayim
Alvin Fagen
Mayor City of Westmount
Karin Marks
Director General City of Westmount
Bruce St-Louis
Head of Communications City of Westmount
Brigitte Stock
City of Westmount
City councilors
It is truly because of their dedication and commitment that we are able to enjoy a higher level of shared community values.