Greater Boston Eruv Corporation
Celebrating 32 years of community service (1993-2025)

Brandeis University Eruv Border Map
Below is the map of the Brandeis Eruv as of 2015, when the most recent expansion was completed.

Brandeis University Eruv Expansion Project
The Brandeis University Eruv was originally built around most of the campus. The Eruv was maintained by the University, and inspection of the Eruv was carried out by students.

In March of 2009, Dr. Jesse Hefter, the President of the Greater Boston Eruv Corporation, was contacted by Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz, the campus JLIC Rabbi, about a phased expansion of the Brandeis Eruv into adjoining sections of the City of Waltham. A survey was conducted at that time to outline the requirements.

At a second site meeting in June 2009, we determined that Phase I of the expansion would include the Chabad Center (west of campus), a residential segment south of campus, a garden apartment complex, and several graduate student housing buildings. Several action items needed to be completed before work could proceed. Below is a photograph from the June meeting of (from left to right) Sam Packer (a neuroscience graduate student assisting Rabbi Kaplowitz), Dr. Jesse Hefter (Greater Boston Eruv), and Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz.

Eruv

In August of 2015, JLIC Rabbi David Pardo worked with Dr. Hefter to complete the Waltham extension project. On Shabbat Ki Teitze, August 28, 2015, the Eruv extended Eruv was used for the first time.

Waltham, MA, Mayor's Office - Dr. Hefter performing the Kinyan Kesef with Mayor McCarthy

Waltham, MA Mayor's Office - OU-JLIC Brandeis Rabbi David Pardo with Mayor McCarthy (and the Kinyan Kesef)

Today's Brandeis Eruv includes the JLIC Rabbi's residence, located just off-campus, and extends into the city of Waltham. The University (and we are very grateful for their collaboration) handles maintenance of any issues on campus, while the repair contractor for the Greater Boston Eruv Corporation handles any off-campus repairs.

For the sake of continuity, as students and campus rabbinic leaders transition in and out of Brandeis, responsibility for this entire Eruv has fully transferred to the Greater Boston Eruv Corporation. We cover the liability insurance for the Eruv in Waltham and are responsible for ensuring that periodic inspections of the border are completed. Furthermore, an annual Eruv Chatzeiros is performed between the Greater Boston Eruv Corporation and a representative of the Jewish community on campus, prior to Passover.