JACKSON — Some Orthodox Jewish residents believe the township is targeting "eruvs" by enforcing an outdated and previously ignored local law.

An "eruv" is a visible boundary, often made of wire strung along utility poles, that allows Orthodox Jews to carry objects on the Sabbath and certain holidays outside their home.

Members of the Orthodox Jewish community had asked the township in early July for permission to construct an eruv throughout the township. But in late July — a few weeks after the request was made — the township began issuing violation notices to several homeowners for objects "encumbering" the public street or right-of-way lawn between the sidewalk and street.

In most cases, the notices were issued to homeowners with simple hockey nets or basketball hoops.

But some members of the township's Orthodox Jewish community are questioning whether the timing of the notices is linked to their request to build an eruv.'

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"This just continues the pattern of Jackson ordinances that are popping up against the Orthodox community,” said Avi Schnall, state director for Agudath Israel, a nonprofit Orthodox Jewish advocacy group. “This is a very, very obvious move. For decades, people have had basketball hoops in front of their houses and no one was ever bothered."

"The fact that they took this ordinance and decided to start enforcing it seems a little bit suspicious,” he said.

Eruvs are usually constructed on utility poles, using wire and PVC pipe. They already exist in Jewish neighborhoods of Lakewood, Deal, Long Branch and the North Dover area of Toms River.

"We're not allowed to carry our keys. We're not allowed to carry our children. We're not allowed to push a stroller," California Avenue resident Mordechai Burnstein told Jackson Township Council members on Tuesday night. "It's our religious belief. I know people on Facebook call it 'magic wires,' but it's our belief."

But in the suburbs, the utility poles are on the "right of way," the small patch of lawn between the sidewalk and street. Though homeowners are required to maintain the land, it's technically public property.

But in an interview, Mayor Michael Reina said the sudden uptick in enforcement — 355 violations were issued in July, he said — came after the hiring of three new code enforcement officers and nearly a year of various complaints from residents.

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“This is not something that popped up because the eruv wires came in. I think there were more complaints for basketball hoops than eruv wires,” Reina said. "Nobody is being specifically targeted but you’re breaking a law that is on the books ... It's always been there. It was a sleeping giant."

Reina added it is up to the Township Council, not the mayor, to change the law governing the right of way. He said that he encouraged religious leaders to ask the council to do so.

Township officials on Tuesday said the right of way ordinance was being updated, as it was too broad and referred to a "township committee," the town's legislative body under its defunct form of government.

While eruvs are commonplace in towns with large Orthodox Jewish communities, they're not always welcomed. In Mahwah, an Orthodox Jewish group sued the township after officials threatened to issue summons notices if the group didn't remove eruvs from utility poles.

Over the last two years, tensions have grown in Jackson as its Orthodox Jewish community continues to grow. Discussions about real estate solicitations, a Lakewood-based first aid squad and construction of schools and dormitories have boiled over into hot-button issues, largely at public meetings and on social media.

"There are different neighborhoods looking to construct an eruv," Burnstein said. "We're not looking to make a fight. We're looking to do it in a way with community dialogue."

In May, Agudath Israel filed suit against the township after it passed an ordinance limiting construction of schools and dormitories, citing concerns about overdevelopment.

The complaint cited multiple instances of alleged anti-Semitism, including comments posted on app.com articles.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Mike Davis: 732-643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com



