Workers dig a hole for the erection of a pole that will bear the Eruv line.

14 Years in the Making, Work Begins on S. Diego Eruv

The Jewish community of University City in S. Diego, CA, has for many years lived without the ability to leave their homes on Shabbos with a baby carriage or a Talis, due to the lack of an Eruv. Thanks to a 14-year campaign, the local Chabad Center has finally obtained the permits necessary, and construction has already begun on the project.

The Chabad Center of University City began its campaign for an Eruv in 2001, and has spent more than $50,000 creating the construction plans and obtaining the necessary permits.

Now that construction has finally begun, the members and supporters of the synagogue feel that this milestone will help the community grow further.

The Chabad Center of UC is already known as one of the city’s most active synagogues. There are daily morning and evening services, many weekly classes, Shabbatons, guest speakers throughout the year and an active children’s program.

“We have a really large and fun crowd at services on Shabbat, followed by a delicious kiddush,” said Rabbi Yudell Reiz, the synagogue’s Associate Rabbi. “Unfortunately, without an Eruv, women with young children are stuck in their homes and are unable to attend the Shabbat services (or leave their homes at all).”

“We have been preparing the shul for many months now, to accommodate the younger children and their mothers who will now be able to come to shul on Shabbat,” said Rabbi Moishe Leider, the Senior Rabbi and director of the Chabad Center. “We recently remodeled a room and turned it into a nursing room! It has two couches, nursing pillows and a diaper changing table.”

The construction is expected to be completed within a few weeks and will cost the synagogue approximately $50,000 to build, bringing the total cost of the Eruv to $100,000. University City’s Eruv will cover the entire neighborhood that it is located within.

To contribute towards their Eruv or for more information, please visit www.ChabadUC.org. The center can also be reached by email: info@chabaduc.org, and by phone, 858.455.1670.

A hole dug for one of the poles that will bear the Eruv line.
A hole dug for one of the poles that will bear the Eruv line.

8 Comments

  • Mendy Cohen

    The Rebbe didn’t want people using city Eiruvim, and only lauded their indirect value of saving sinners from sinning.
    Many reasons were provided, and they can all be found throughout Igros Koidesh. Here are some of the reasons found there:
    1. It is impossible to build an Eiruv without having to rely certain Kullos.
    2. If the Eiruv fails and people are informed, they will continue to carry, since they have gotten used to it.
    3. If they go to another city where no Eiruv exists, they might forget and carry.
    4. If a botanical park exists in the city, the Eiruv is invalid.

    One can add:
    1. If Schiras Reshus was done via the council, instead of through the government, the Eiruv is invalid since they aren’t able to place army men in your house.
    2. A Yiras Shomayim will consider his city a “public domain”, as opposed to a Karmolis, where an Eiruv is invalid.

  • less expensive

    Thankfully our community was able to build an Eruv for 1/10 that price otherwise we would be waiting 14 years as well!

    Member of Chabad of Parkland, FL

  • to Mendy Cohen

    You might not want to show your ignorance in public. Almost every point you write is wrong and for each letter you point to from the Rebbe there are beautiful letters saying the opposite.

    The Rebbe did mention that Eruv will hasten in the coming of Moshiach, May this Eruv be the final straw!

  • To Less expensive-!

    We were also lucky that we have a great Eruv in Delray Beach and it also costs us a fraction of that cost!

  • To #5

    Please put your money where your mouth is. Please cite your sources. The crown heights bais din follows the Rebbe on the eruv issue.

  • Chesed Avraham

    Thanks guys for your comments, they are really helpful for me to understand the real importance of an Eruv.