Son defends rabbi in failed eruv plan

THE SON of the rabbi who headed the failed campaign to set up an eruv in Hale, Greater Manchester, has labelled the local Jewish community “pathetic” for not backing the plans.

In a public Facebook post, Mendy Portnoy defended his father, Hale and District Hebrew Congregation’s Rabbi Joel Portnoy, and condemned the “lack of support from within the Jewish community”.

The eruv proposal was withdrawn last week following widespread opposition. The Hale Eruv Project Trust said the decision had been taken “in the interests of communal unity”.

In the posting, Mr Portnoy, 24, accepted he was taking the matter personally because of his father’s commitment to the project.

“Batmitzvah, barmitzvah, stone-setting — whatever the occasion and no matter what day of the week or time of the year, he was and is there.

“My dad/your rabbi has been working incredibly hard to do something he believes will benefit the Jewish community.

“After seeing him put under the media spotlight, and incredible amounts of scrutiny, criticism and pressure, I just have one question: Where were you all?”

The Jerusalem-based musician added: “If at any point during the next two years you decide to completely throw him under the bus, just let us know in advance. We’ll gladly have him over here — the earlier the better.”

Rabbi Portnoy declined to comment.