Support urged for Borehamwood eruv change

Hertsmere Jews have been urged to rally behind an application to vary the positions of some poles for the long-awaited Elstree and Borehamwood eruv, which has been submitted to the local council.

The revised application was demanded by Hertsmere planners last month after it was found that obstacles such as trees and underground utilities required the relocation of a number of previously approved positions.

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Yavneh sets 2011 target for new primary

A two-form entry primary section for Yavneh College in Borehamwood could accept pupils as early as September 2011, parents were told this week.

The move, intended to alleviate the severe shortage of Jewish primary school places in the Hertsmere area, was announced at a public meeting on Monday at Yavneh.

However, parents were cautioned that many obstacles had to be cleared before before building could start at the site, with the securing of planning permission high among them.

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Borehamwood eruv will not be ready for summer

Hertsmere planners have dashed hopes that the Elstree and Borehamwood eruv would be operational in time for the summer.

The council's planning department has decreed that retrospective consent must be obtained for the relocation of some of the final pole positions.

Eruv organisers say the changes are primarily to deal with obstacles such as underground utilities, trees, roots and wire clearances, which could not have been anticipated in advance.

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England flags on Borehamwood eruv

Poles for the long awaited Borehamwood eruv have a new topping - England flags.

The St George emblem has appeared on five of the 34 poles marking the perimeter of the eruv, which allows observant Jews to push or carry certain items on Shabbat and festivals.

"It looks like a kids' prank," said an Elstree and Borehamwood Eruv Trust representative. "It makes no difference to the function of the eruv."

The spokesman dismissed the possibility that the action reflected opposition from residents to the visual impact of the eruv poles.

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Trainee ministers intern for Shavuot

A Shavuot intern programme is giving United Synagogue trainee ministers first-hand experience of the life of a community rabbi.

Under the scheme, Ben Kurzer has been assigned to Belmont, Elchonon Feldman to Borehamwood and Binny Fogelgarn to Edgware.

After spending Shavuot in their designated communities, their week ends on Sunday with a brunch with Dayan Yonason Abraham.

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Building starts on Borehamwood and Elstree eruv

The first poles for the Borehamwood and Elstree eruv were installed this week, to the delight and relief of the area's two Orthodox communities.

If all goes to plan, the notional boundary allowing the carrying of certain items and the pushing of prams and wheelchairs on Shabbat and festivals will be operational by mid-summer.

And with more young families moving to the area, the completion of the project could not have come at a better time, says Borehamwood Synagogue rabbi Naftali Brawer. "The eruv will positively transform Jewish life in our community," he declared.

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