MAHWAH – For the third time in recent months, a ritualistic Jewish boundary known as a eruv on a town utility pole has been damaged, according to a report.
The latest incident occurred Sunday in the area of Airmont Avenue and Masonicus Road, according to nj101.5.com. Police are looking for a middle-aged man and woman near a black Audi Q5 or Q7 with a New Jersey license plate starting with W26, according to the report.
In Jewish tradition, an eruv is a symbolic boundary, used in Orthodox Jewish communities, allowing activities to take place on the Jewish Sabbath outside of the home.
A Jewish group reportedly got approval to install the pipes from Orange & Rockland Utilities, which owns the poles.
Some residents and township officials have objected to the eruvs, claiming the ritualistic pipes affect their quality of life.
$25k reward if convicted: Towns fight ‘hate crime,’ lawsuits over Jewish boundary — but it’s common in NJ https://t.co/2wkiKDuaQl @nj1015
— Christopher Porrino (@cporrino) August 17, 2017
Over the summer, the township ordered a New York-based Jewish community to cease building the boundaries or face fines.
In August, the Bergen Rockland Eruv Association and two Rockland County residents filed a federal lawsuit against the town, accusing them of fanning the flames of xenophobia.
After earlier damage to the pipes, the township offered a $1,000 reward and Attorney General Christopher Porrino offered a $25,000 reward.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 201-529-1000 ext. 220 or email tips@mahwahpd.org.
