Welcome to JPOE - Jewish People Opposed to the Eruv

Click here to make a donation to JPOE. 

According to Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, HarperCollins Publishers, an eruv is an area, circumscribed by a symbolic line, within which certain activities forbidden to Orthodox Jews on the Sabbath are permitted. [from Hebrew, literally: mixture, mixing]

Jewish People for the Betterment of Westhampton Beach (Known as Jewish People Opposed to the Eruv), a grass roots organization of those of the Jewish faith, their families, friends and neighbors who are homeowners or reside in Westhampton Beach and its environs, is opposed to the erection of an eruv by any governmental, quasi-governmental or corporate authority in this community. Message from the Chairman April 6, 2013 On April 4, at the Town of Southampton Zoning Board Meeting, the East End Eruv Association appealed an earlier decision that prohibited the erection of lechis that form the boundaries  of an Eruv on 15 telephone poles on Summit Boulevard, Montauk Highway, and Tanners Neck Lane in Westhampton.  They asked for a variance from the laws that determined the lechis to be signs, thus prohibited. Jonathan Sinnreich, attorney for JPOE presented the argument against the Eruv as held by JPOE and its members. One observer of the meeting said that " Mr. Sinnreich's argument was very well thought out and factual, unlike the opposing side". The petition will be held open for public comment until the next public meeting on June 6th. Please send any comment to the Town Council.  Information and contacts are found on the What You Can Do? . JPOE continues to uphold our rights under the United States Constitution.  We strongly oppose the erection of religious symbols in the public right of way and the assistance of any governmental agency in selecting one religion over another. With much hope for the future, Arnold Sheiffer Chairman JPOE

April 4, 2013 At the Southampton Town Zoning Board Meeting, Jonathan Sinnreich, attorney for JPOE , presented the argument against the eruv as held by JPOE and it’s members . The attached PDF contains JPOE’s postion. The East End Eruv Association appealed an earlier decision by the Board to deny the installation of lechis for the purpose of forming a boundary for an eruv. February 4, 2013 Federal Court dismissed the case of JPOE against the Village of Westhampton Beach, East End Eruv Association, Verizon, LIPA, et.al. This decision will be appealed. December 7, 2012 JPOE files Memorandum of Law in Opposition of Motions to Dismiss of the East End Eruv Association, Inc. and Verizon New York Inc. Memorandum and Exhibits are available on the Case Files Page August 21, 2012 East End Eruv Association has filed a federal action against the Village of Quogue seeking injunctive relief. July 30, 2012 JPOE files suit in US District Court against the Village of Westhampton Beach, East End Eruv Association, Verizon New York Inc., Long Island Lighting Company d/b/a LIPA. The complete legal complaint is available on the Village of Westhampton Beach Website. May 23, 2012 27east powered by the Southampton Press “Quogue Village Rejects Application for Religious Boundary, EEEA Plans to Sue” By Erin McKinley May 18, 2012 The Village of Quogue, in a 5-0 vote, accepts the written decision that denies the application by the East End Eruv Association. It is reported that the EEEA plans to sue. The decision is available on the Village’s website.