New York's Governor Supports Synagogue's Eruv Proposal

Thursday's Forward reports that New York Governor David Patterson spoke earlier this month during services at a synagogue in Westhampton Beach (NY), supporting the congregation's proposal to build an eruv around their community in the Hamptons. An eruv is a symbolic enclosure of an area, usually by wires or strings on utility poles, that under Jewish law permits observant Jews to carry items and push strollers on the Sabbath. Long Island Power Authority and Verizon agreed to the synagogue's proposal, but objections surfaced when the synagogue sought approval from the village board. Critics say the eruv would be a violation of separation of church and state and would be a divisive force. They ran a full page newspaper ad urging residents to vote against political candidates who support the eruv. Patterson in his prepared remarks urged tolerance and understanding for the eruv proposal, and said he might attend a community forum later this week to help clear up public misconceptions.