About Us

Mission Statement

The National Eruv Initiative’s mission is to advance the quality, reliability and halachic status of eruvin through the provision of expert guidance, individualized support, education and user friendly resources, with an emphasis on the practical aspects of maintaining an Eruv.  The National Eruv Initiative serves as a resource to both individuals involved in the planning and maintenance of an eruv (Eruv Leadership), as well as members of the Jewish community who utilize an eruv as part of their Shabbos observance.

An Eruv is a series of components which facilitate normal outdoor functions on Shabbat (Sabbath).   A major component of an Eruv (for purposes of the National Eruv Initiative) is a series of physical barriers which surround a Jewish Community, in accordance with Jewish Law.  For further reading about what is an Eruv, please click here.

The National Eruv Initiative is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supports communities in developing high quality, safe and halachic eruvin (plural of Eruv) in North America. We provide a community’s Eruv Leadership and the Jewish community at large with educational and practical resources to promote and facilitate the planning, construction and upkeep of an excellent eruv.

Click Here to view our Staff

What does the National Eruv Initiative Do?

We assist with the following:

  • Construction
    • Eruv Planning- Planning a route for your eruv can be a difficult task. We will assist you in planning a route for your new eruv, or in anticipation of renovation or expansion of an existing eruv.
    • Tools and Materials- Proper tools and materials for eruv construction and repairs increase longevity of the physical components of the eruv while minimizing time and cost. We have multiple resources available to assist you in this area.
    • Eruv InventionsThere are some “innovations and inventions” which have been created specifically for assisting with eruv work. We publicize these “inventions” and how to obtain them.
    • How-to- We provide step-by-step coaching on how to do eruv construction and repairs to reduce the need for hiring expensive outside professional help.
  • Checking
    • Checking an eruv is a significant undertaking. We provide helpful tips and resources to facilitate easier and more thorough checking.
  • Poskim (Jewish Legal Experts)
    • We will assist in connecting you to Poskim either for a new Eruv or an existing Eruv.
  • Fundraising
    • A high quality eruv needs ample funding.   We provide resources to aid eruv leadership in raising necessary funds. In addition, we help you raise community awareness regarding eruv costs.
  • Public Awareness
    • We help promote eruv-awareness amongst the general Jewish community. Encouraging community members to take interest in their local eruv helps minimize potential Chillul Shabbos, as well as impacts the ability to fundraise. Additionally, increased public awareness tends to demystify the steps taken by the eruv committee to improve eruv-related methods and materials and garner necessary community support.
  • Community
    • We provide a forum for members of your community to get involved in both their local eruv and other eruvin. Also, we create a useful information exchange between different communities.
  • Education
    • We encourage both the eruv leadership and the general Jewish community to learn about their eruv. We aim to make available all relevant books and classes related to academic and practical learning on this topic. Also, we encourage communal learning through one-on-one study or through organizing a class in your community.  We strongly encourage the members of the community who play an active role in checking, repairing, or supervising the eruv to study the relevant halachos of the Eruv.

 Future Services

    Feel free to contact us if you are in need of assistance with these areas.

  • Halacha
    • We share information on minimizing Halachic Shailas (machlokes-disagreements between poskim) by careful selection of construction materials or how-to tips on avoiding disagreements.
  • Mapping
    • We provide mapping solutions for each community.  These maps can be used to facilitate proper checking and to publicize to the community where it is permitted and not permitted to carry on Shabbos.
  • Website
    • We provide support related to having a strong Community Eruv website.
  • Legal Support
    • We assist you in legal matters pertaining to your Eruv.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why an Eruv?

Shabbos observance is a core principle of (Orthodox) Judaism. Contemporary Shabbos observance is enhanced when members of a community have the ability to join together at will on a consistent basis. An eruv supports the spirit and technical observance of Shabbos by allowing individuals to carry outside of private residences. Wheelchair-bound individuals, mothers wishing to push a stroller and individuals wishing to carry seforim (Jewish books) to and from shul (synagogue) are a few examples of community members who benefit from the existence of a community eruv.

Why a “High-Quality Eruv”?

An eruv is a complex structure requiring:

  • -strict adherence to complicated halachic guidelines
  • -sound construction to support a safe, weather-resistant, tamper-resistant and durable physical structure
  • -inclusive boundaries that extend to as many relevant areas of the community as possible

An eruv lacking in one or more of these domains does not serve its purpose of promoting ideal Shabbos observance for all members of the community and should be improved to meet this goal. 

What is a “High-Quality Eruv”?

  • -durable, constructed from strong, weather-resistant, tamper-resistant materials
  • -easily and reliably maintained, with regular inspections, as well as periodic inspections by an expert
  • -acceptable by present day Gedolim without question
  • -inclusive of desired geographic areas
  • -eruv boundaries are clear and well-publicized to eruv users

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