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The Jewish communities in Zurich want to create a Sabbath zone where they can do certain things despite the ban on working.
Sabbath lasts from sunset on Friday until nightfall on Saturday evening. During this time, Orthodox Jews are forbidden to work. This includes, for example, carrying bags or pushing a stroller.
But there are exceptions – within a so-called eruv. The eruv is a symbolically closed public zone where orthodox Jews are permitted certain activities that the Sabbath forbids elsewhere.
Symbolic fence
Zurich’s Jewish communities would like to set up just such a zone in the city. A symbolic fence covering an area of 14 square kilometers is to be erected in the districts of Wiedikon, Enge and Wollishofen. This corresponds to about 16 percent of the urban area. The building permit applications will follow in the next few weeks.
Legend:
Orthodox Jews are forbidden from pushing a pram on the Sabbath. Within an eruv, however, religious rules allow it.
key stone
The leader and initiator of the project is Cédric Bollag: “The area is marked out spiritually, so to speak,” he explains. You don’t have to do much more to set up such a zone in Zurich, the existing infrastructure already offers a corresponding demarcation.
Subtle demarcations
“You can use natural constructions for this, such as tram lines or street lamps,” says project manager Bollag. “The course only has to be closed, for example with transparent nylon cords that are stretched between two posts.” And for that you need a building permit. Gentiles will hardly notice whether or not they are in the territory of an eruv – the demarcations are so subtle.
The planning application is checked to ensure that it fits into the cityscape and is not disruptive.
There has been a small Eruv in Zurich since 1993. It is located in the Freigutstrasse and Justicestrasse area near the Selnau train station. Now this should be enlarged.
City of Zurich in principle for it
In the city of Zurich, the Jewish communities have found an open ear with their concerns. The city can thus prove that it is tolerant towards religious minorities, says civil engineering director Richard Wolff. “As long as this is compatible with other principles.”
Legend:
A Jewish family in London points to a post that is part of the local eruv. He marks its boundary.
key stone
Once the planning application has been received, it will be reviewed. Then you can see whether the project can be implemented. “You see if it fits into the cityscape and isn’t disruptive,” says Wolff. In addition, it must not violate any regulations for the protection of monuments and must not endanger safety.
cost of a million
The Jewish communities would like to implement the eruv before the end of this year. They already have the money they need. They expect an investment of one million Swiss francs and another 30,000 per year for maintenance.
In addition to Zurich, Eruv projects are also planned in other Swiss cities, such as Basel. Internationally, there are such areas in London, Vienna or Amsterdam, for example.