Accusations of divisineness have forced a rethink to proposals to build an eruv for the Jewish community in Hale.
Three hundred people at a public meeting at the Manchester Airport Marriott Hotel heard eruv programme manager Abraham Wahnon explain how the Hale Eruv Project would surround Jewish inhabitants of south Manchester with a boundary stetching more than 12 miles.
"The meeting was a bit stormy," Mr Wahnon said. "There were concerns about some of the locations so we need to check some sites. We have to work with residents. A lot of communication has been going on."
One of the objectors at the meeting was Hale Barns councillor Patrick Myers. Speaking afterwards he said there "is a groundswell of opinion against the proposed eruv from the local comunity". The main objection, he said, is that it would disrupt the harmony of the area. He believed the objections from the audience were valid. He added: "It will be diversive. It is the wrong thing, in the wrong place."
Hale Barnes resident Michael Goldstone described the audience's reaction to the proposals as "universal rejection. People do not want it. It would be divisive in the community".
No date has been set to submit proposals to Trafford Council. Mr W ahnon added: "The plan is robust. We have sought advice from highways organisations and planners."
He described Hale's Jewish community as a "growing dynamic community. There is a desire for an eruv in the area." According to Mr Wahnon the costs of the eruv will be funded by the Hale Eruv Project.
North Manchester is home to the UK's largest eruv. The 13-mile halachic perimeter became operational in January and covers Salford, Prestwich and Crumpsall, the major centres of Manchester Jewry. Manchester's first eruv, covering the Whitefield community, went live at the end of last year.
