Leeds in pole position as eruv is completed

Just days before Rosh Hashanah, Leeds Jewish community has celebrated the completion of its new eruv.

The Leeds eruv gained planning permission in 2020 with funds raised a year later. It now covers much of Alwoodley, Moortown, Chapel Allerton and Roundhay and all Leeds synagogues are within the boundary.

As there is a prohibition on Shabbat in moving objects from a private space to a public space, items such as books and keys cannot be carried from the home to other places, such as synagogue. However, in the same way that items can be carried around the home, the eruv effectively serves as an extended private space.

A boundary has been designed using natural features such as existing walls and rows of houses. Where there are gaps, these have been filled with around 100 poles which are connected in pairs with a wire, and almost 250 metres of new fencing.

In a joyous cross-communal event attended by members of the entire Jewish community, the final part of the process of establishing the eruv was a matzah ceremony, completed at the Beth Hamidrash Hagadol orthodox synagogue on Monday 11 September, presided over by Leeds Beth Din’s Dayan Shalom Kupperman.

Leeds eruv chairman Jonathan Straight said: “I have been working on this project for the past sixteen years. Over this time, I have been blessed to work with a remarkable team of people who have helped the dream of an eruv for Leeds to become a reality.”

“Two years ago, £180,000 was raised to build the eruv and maintain it over its initial year. Legal costs associated with the delay to the start of construction led to increased costs. The rise in the price of construction materials and labour has also impacted although the committee was fortunate to purchase all the poles shortly after the funds were raised.

“Finally, some infrastructure was moved or changed from initial plans to maintain good relations with residents around the perimeter. All of this means the eruv has cost a little more than the committee had hoped, and a further fundraising day will be held after Succot to fill the gap.”

Under the supervision of the Leeds Beth Din, the eruv will be checked weekly. Those wishing to use it are encouraged to visit www.leedseruv.org where the status of the eruv can be seen and they can sign up to a free WhatsApp group to get an alert each Friday afternoon.

United Hebrew Congregation’s Rabbi Alby Chait MBE tells Jewish News: “As the third largest Jewish community in the UK, today, Leeds now has accomplished what is the final piece in the communal jigsaw; an eruv. There are moments in time that just feel like they will be iconic in historical terms – this was one of them.

“A provincial community that was for years battling against the incoming tide, has now set sail on a great journey for its great future.”

Jonathan Straight added: “This will be a moment of transformation for the Leeds Jewish community who can now all enjoy Shabbat in a way that has never been possible before. What a way to start the New Year. Shana Tova.”

The halachic authority on the Leeds eruv was Manchester-based Rabbi Avigdor Grossberger who brought many years of expertise to the project. The eruv was built by Moshe Katz of Limefield Eruv Limited and the architect was Daniel Rosenfelder of London.