Over the years under review review it became increasingly difficult to maintain the integrity of the various eruvin which have sprouted up in the community. There was no centralisation of halachic standards, or coordination of maintenance resulting in unnecessary expenditure, often absorbed by myself personally, or the UOS. Furthermore, without centralised halachic control, a number of problems in certain eruvin were not noticed, and unfortunately resulted in less than adequate kashrut of these eruvin.

It became increasingly evident that centralisation, both halachic and technical was required to restore and ensure the continued integrity of the eruvin. Darren Sevitz, executive Director of the UOS, and I took on the arduous task to get the various communities to agree to monthly payments for the eruv. In order to carry this out, a separate bank account, “The Johannesburg Eruv Fund” was formed exclusively for this purpose. The eruv account was opened in November 2010 and various shuls started come on board.

All contributing shuls must be commended; three shuls in particular, Mizrachi, Great Park and Chabad Illovo, for having paid their annual contribution of R18,000-00 upfront, giving the fund much needed start-up capital without which, it would have been impossible to have got up and running.

We are continuously working with new shuls that benefit from the eruv to come on board. While some simply refuse to make a contribution, most are willing, and over time, I believe the majority of those shuls benefiting from the eruv will make their contribution to this project.

2010 saw the inauguration of two new eruvin, namely the Greenside eruv and the Sea Point eruv.

Rabbi Anton Klein
DIRECTOR - BETH DIN