Mill Hill ERUV - Can we have a debate?

As someone who lives within the boundary of the proposed Mill Hill ERUV, I have been watching with increasing alarm how the debate is progressing on the website of the Edgware and Mill Hill Times. Check out some of the comments on this story :-

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/8174565.Eruv_application_handed_to_council/?ref=mc

In the title of this blog, I asked "Can we have a debate?". Actually I'm not asking the question you thought I was asking, which is whether the people of Mill Hill should all get a say in this decision. I am asking whether we are capable of having a sensible and civilised discussion on the subject. The level of comments I've seen opposing the ERUV indicate that opposition is based on a loathing of religious observance and in some cases anti semitism. Given that the actual ERUV fence will have virtually no impact on anyone, it seems to me that any such problems can be dealt with simply enough by good and sympathetic design.

Which brings us to the question of how the ERUV will affect Mill Hill in other ways. It is likely to have a positive effect on the property prices of houses such as mine which fall within the ERUV area. As my house is a quick walk from the Shul, I might reasonably expect that it's value will be enhanced as people would wish to purchase a property within the ERUV area. The downside of this is that those living just the other side of the ERUV are likely to see their houses marginally devalued. I expect that should the proposal go ahead, a question which estate agents will have to get used to answering is "Is the house within the ERUV". For any observant orthodox Jew, presumably this could be a deal breaker if the answer is no.

The ERUV is likely to lead to a concentration of Orthodox Jewish people within the ERUV area and a depletion of this population outside. Given that the Jewish population is generally law abiding, is this a problem? Well it is clearly a problem for any anti semites who happen to live within Mill Hill, but what about the wider community. I was struck by how much Mill Hill had changed when I recently stood for the Council elections. I visited many homes which I used to deliver papers to as a delivery boy 30 odd year ago. At the time I cannot remember a single customer who was black or Asian (apart from Mickey Mosts maid). There has been a massive influx of people and a massive outflow of older people. I was struck by how the demographics have changed. As a practising Roman Catholic it is clear to me that our church is fuller than ever, mainly due to eastern Europeans and African immigrants. The point is that areas change with or without ERUVs. If a large Mosque was to open in Mill Hill, we'd see an influx of Moslems. Would this be a reason to oppose the Mosque?

Organisations such as the BNP seek to put the clock back and dream of a world of warm beer and white anglo saxon Christians.  This world no longer exists in Mill Hill. We are a multi cultural society and we all get on pretty well. Is the ERUV likely to change this? Well no one will be forced to become an Orthodox Jew. The ERUV won't be accompanied by a recruitment drive or knocks on the door as the Jehovas Witnesses, Mill Hills other large religious establishment practice. Will non Jews be forced to get out of the area against their will? No, but if they decide to move, they will get more money for their house. All sounds good so far. What about non jewish families who have lived in Mill Hill all their lives and have children who wish to buy property in Mill Hill? Well this is an issue. It will become more expensive and difficult and will over time see long standing Mill Hill families move out purely for financial reasons. This does concern me, because I love the area and whilst I have no objections to newcomers, I would like to see the "Mill Hill Community" continue.

I have spoken to many Jewish friends about the proposal. You may be surprised to hear that the majority (though not all) are against the proposal (yes I know my friends are not necessarily representative). They prefer a diverse Mill Hill and feel that an Orthodox Jewish monoculture would be a bad thing for the wider Jewish community. The friends who are reformed Jews feel that the development would be a step backwards. One friend who is a particularly vociferous opponent, who comes from a Polish background and who lost family members in the Holocaust said that the last thing we need is a Jewish ghetto in Mill Hill. He feels that it would actually flag the area up as a target for anti semites and cause resentment within the local community. He is of the opinion that those people who are championing the proposal haven't properly thought the whole issue through. His view is that all residents of Mill Hill should be given the opportunity to take part in a referendum on the issue. That is how things are managed in Switzerland and he quite likes it.

As to my own views. I really haven't made up my mind. I believe in freedom of religious expression, so I wouldn't oppose it on these grounds. We have to live and let live. As to whether I'd vote yes or no if we had a referendum. I don't know as yet, I'm leaning towards yes, but my friend makes some powerful arguments. I suspect that Barnet Council don't trust us Council Taxpayers enough to actually let us choose, so it's all academic, but I for one would like to see a proper debate occur. I would like to see a decision where everyone participated occur. I would hope that we could have a proper, unemotional and sensible debate and get a decision which Mill Hill was comfortable with. Is that too much to ask for?

Please note that on this post, I will delete any comments that I deem to be offensive or anti semitic. I want to see a debate not a slanging match.