Long Island, NY - Hamptons Eruv Holy War

Long Island, NY - Tensions over the proposed creation of a symbolic Orthodox Jewish boundary in a tony Long Island hamlet boiled over yesterday at a raucous meeting in Westhampton Beach.
Organized by a group called Jewish People Opposed to the Eruv, the rowdy morning gathering of more than 250 people pitted Reform Jews against Orthodox Jews.

At issue was the proposed creation of an “eruv,” a boundary consisting of marked telephone poles that form a figurative extension of a home. The eruv would allow Orthodox Jews to engage in activities normally prohibited on the Sabbath, such as pushing strollers and carrying keys.
Members of the Hampton Synagogue, led by high-profile Rabbi Marc Schneier, had hoped to marshal support for the eruv during the summer season. But recent town meetings have degenerated into shouting matches.

“We don’t want to change the community,” said Jack Kringstein, co-chairman of the Jewish group opposed to the eruv. “We feel like we will be converting Westhampton to [Orthodox Jews'] tastes.”

Hampton Synagogue member Alan Shecter, one of only a handful of eruv supporters at yesterday’s meeting, was shouted down.

Schneier said that the opposition is inspired by baseless fears of an Orthodox influx.“I’m very saddened and disappointed by what’s taken place,” he said.

Source: NY Post