NJ town accused of targeting Jews settles lawsuit over boundary

A New Jersey town accused of discriminating against Orthodox Jews from nearby New York State approved a settlement with a group that sued over a religious boundary, or eruv, built with white plastic piping on utility poles.

Mahwah Township’s council voted 5-2 yesterday to settle the suit from the Bergen Rockland Eruv Association after two hours of private legal discussion, the Record reports. The settlement will remain confidential pending approval from the group, says Mahwah Township Attorney Brian Chewcaskie.

The lawsuit was sparked by a now-reversed township ordinance that would have effectively banned the building of an eruv, a religious boundary that some Orthodox Jews rely on to perform tasks on the Sabbath including carrying bags and pushing strollers.

— AP