The Durham Eruv helps build and expand our Jewish community
Jewish law has developed a mechanism called an Eruv which transforms an outdoor area into one large symbolic home, within which carrying is permitted.
The Durham Eruv surrounds Beth El Synagogue and Fleishman House Chabad at Duke University. The Durham Eruv is an area with many family homes that are in walking distance of the synagogue.
Without an eruv, traditional Sabbath observance places restrictions on carrying objects outdoors. This limits carrying ritual items to and from the synagogue, bringing gifts to one's hosts, and even playing ball outside. The Durham Eruv allows people to engage in these activities on Shabbat and fosters an environment of greater Shabbat observance.
The Durham Eruv allows people to push strollers and wheelchairs on Shabbat, enabling them to leave their homes to attend synagogue, visit friends, and engage in other activities outside their homes.