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Plantation mayor proclaims city boundaries an eruv to accommodate Orthodox Jewish observance
Summary
The City of Plantation issued a mayoral proclamation designating the city’s public domain within its boundaries as an eruv for the purpose of allowing members of the Orthodox Jewish faith to carry items on the Sabbath within the designated area, a step city leaders said follows prior proclamations and established practices.
Mayor Nick Sordle read a proclamation at the March 12 council meeting designating the public domain within Plantation’s municipal boundaries as an eruv to allow observant Orthodox Jews to carry items under Jewish law when observing the Sabbath and other holy days.
The proclamation said the designation is "for the sole purpose of allowing members of the Orthodox Jewish faith to observe the Sabbath and other Jewish holy days within said boundaries in accordance with Jewish religious law." Mayor Sordle read the document and then invited Rabbi Mindy Posner of Chabad of East Plantation to explain the significance of an eruv.
Rabbi Mindy Posner described the eruv as a boundary that, under traditional Jewish law, permits activities such as carrying a water bottle or pushing a stroller during the Sabbath where otherwise carrying would be restricted. Posner said similar proclamations have been issued previously and that the current action follows the official processes required to recognize an eruv.
Council members and attendees applauded. The mayor and clergy noted the proclamation restores or reaffirms an existing practice and is intended to enable observant residents to practice their religion within the city’s public spaces.
Ending: City officials said the proclamation is administrative and intended to clarify the municipal position; the council did not take further legislative action during the meeting on this item.
