Whereas, the City of Portland is committed to promoting physical activity and alternative methods of transportation such as walking, for the continued livability of our hometown and health of its citizens; and
Whereas, encouraging walking and outdoor play for children is especially critical in combating obesity and other preventable diseases; and
Whereas, walking contributes to the building of safe and friendly local neighborhoods where neighbors interact with neighbors; and
Whereas, an eruv, according to Jewish tradition, is a leased use of a communal area, as denoted by certain specified natural and artificial boundaries by mutual agreement, allowing many of the Jewish faith to carry items outside of their private homes on the Jewish Sabbath (Saturdays) and certain holidays; and
Whereas, an eruv also allows parents to push baby strollers and the elderly and disabled to use mobility aids within the demarcated boundaries, contributing to local neighborhoods in which citizens walk more often and visit each other’s homes and in which children are encouraged to play outdoors; and
Whereas, without an eruv, parents and young children, the elderly and the disabled may be constrained by Jewish tradition to remain in their homes on Saturdays and certain holidays; and
Whereas, the Mayor’s Office of the City of Portland has been petitioned by the Portland Eruv Committee to lease, according to Jewish tradition, a portion of the city’s communal area on behalf of those individuals of the Jewish faith who wish to use an eruv; and
Whereas, an eruv will be located in Southwest Portland in a communal area demarcated according to the Portland Eruv Committee and bounded by natural and artificial boundaries that are invisible or nearly invisible;
Now, therefore, I, Tom Potter, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim that the aforementioned individuals be granted the rights requested to use a portion of the common domain of this city as an eruv, in accordance with Jewish tradition, for a period of ninety-nine (99) years at a rental of one dollar ($1.00), in hand paid.
Signed in the City of Portland, State of Oregon, this 17th day of December, 2008.