July 1, 2008
Did you know that there was a major technical problem with our community Eruv being kosher last week?  What would have done if it wasn’t functional last Shabbos?  We need your support.  Thank G-d it all worked out.  It takes a lot of work from many people who volunteer the time.  We have many people to thank:  the Eruv checkers, like Hillel Striks; community members such as Aaron Striks, Tzali Wachsman, Steve Darrison, Eli Trainer, and especially to Rabbi Eidlitz and Reb David Striks.  Of course, the Valley Eruv board of directors works tirelessly on an ongoing basis to make sure that the Eruv is maintained at all levels.  And thank you to those who have sent in a donation to support our Valley Eruv.   If you haven’t yet sent in your check, please remember to write that donation check and send it in today!  The Valley Eruv needs your tzedakah contribution. 

July 5, 2007
Over the past few weeks the Valley Eruv has suffered from a number of issues which would render it possul (invalid) for use on Shabbos. Each week there are specially trained Valley Eruv checkers who take the time to review the entire length of the Valley Eruv to insure it's integrity for community use on Shabbos. There are decisions which need to be made each week. Is the "question" about the eruv a small issue and not sufficient to possul the eruv, or is there a problem which is serious and must be repaired prior to anyone carrying within the boundaries of the Valley Eruv? This will require numerous people involved including the Rav HaMachshir, Rabbi Eidlitz.

Over both of the last two weeks, we had two separate items which possuled the eruv, and a few other items which needed attention but did not invalidate the eruv. The cost of these prior two weeks of repair is in excess of $2,500.

It is not a whim that the Valley Eruv Board and our Rav HaMachshir request that anyone carrying must check that the Valley Eruv is functional prior to each Shabbos. It is relatively simple to do this. You can check the Valley Eruv web site at www.ValleyEruv.org, or you can call the Valley Eruv Info-line at (818) 763-4395. If you have questions for the Valley Eruv, please email them to us. You can also donate via the web site or send your donations to: Valley Eruv Society, P. O. Box 4201, Valley Village, CA 91617. Your financial support is both necessary and greatly appreciated.

May 4, 2007
A few of the Valley Eruv supporters have asked what happens to check the Eruv weekly and what happens when it has been down. I guess the best way to inform is to simply share what happened last week. On April 20, 2007, our Valley Eruv was down in one spot. We still had a problem in a second location which needed to be rectified. What do we do when the ERUV is down? How do we know how to state that the Valley Eruv is functional?

The Valley Eruv is checked at least one time each week before Shabbat. Last week, on Thursday, April 19th, two of the Valley Eruv Volunteer checking crew reviewed every bit of the Eruv, weekly. When they checked the Eruv, they found a portion of our Eruv line which was down near Victory Boulevard west of the 170 Freeway. We immediately called the licensed company which is permitted to restring portions of our Valley Eruv. They started the repairs around 8:00 a.m., Friday morning. Since there were 4 other locations to double check, too, we received a call to let us know that the Eruv was completely fixed and re-strung around 1:20 p.m.

Now it gets turned back over to us. The Valley Eruv Volunteer checkers who originally found the problems where recalled and asked to recheck the portions which they reported down. This took until about 3:10 p.m. The whole time we are all in contact with one another. About 3:10 the Valley Eruv was checked, rechecked and certified "FUNCTIONAL" for that Shabbat.

Thanks for asking, we will try to keep you updated when there are problems with our Valley Eruv. A good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom.