"The concern mirrored by many of these comments is not that it is going to bring in crime, create an eyesore, cost the community unexpected funds, or increase traffic congestion — none of those are applicable," said Casuto. "Is it possible that individuals frustrated over Adat Yeshurun, and Hillel, are taking it out on the eruv—it is possible, but the approach they have taken, the comments they have made, admit to only one definition, that of bigotry."

Controversy had erupted in the neighborhood near Adat Yeshurun as a result of the Orthodox congregation closing its parking lot on Shabbat to discourage people from violating Orthodox rules governing Shabbat by driving to shul.  As many attendees did not live within walking distance of the congregation, they simply parked their cars on the nearby residential streets, stirring resentment from residents who saw the congregation's roped off parking lot.  

Today, in contrast, some members park their cars in the lot before Shabbat, and leave them there until after the weekly holiday is over. Dr. David Kupferberg, the congregation's current president, said many people like this arrangement because instead of making two round trip walks over Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday), they are able to make one round trip by car and one by foot.  He said most of the synagogue's 280 family membership units do not drive on the Shabbat.

He said whereas the gates of the parking lot remain open over Shabbat, members who are less observant   don't want to park on the synagogue grounds as a matter of respect, just as they would not use their cellphones inside the synagogue on Shabbat.  He noted that on-street parking in the area is legal.

While Adat Yeshurun's parking situation eased after the synagogue prepared instructions for visitors about not parking on residential streets, parking remains a constant issue in the area that is within walking distance of the parking-starved UCSD campus. 

Hillel has sought to build a center across the street from the campus of the University of California at San Diego, in the same general area as Adat Yeshurun.  Opponents to the project have objected on typical land-use grounds, including the proposed center's potential impact on parking in the neighborhood, the possibility of noise, and so forth.  But members of the Jewish community wonder whether the same sentiments as those expressed about the eruv also are motivating opposition to the Hillel center.  Like the eruv, the Hillel issue ultimately will be resolved by the San Diego City Council, which is expected to schedule its hearing on the issue in La Jolla, possibly on the UCSD campus.

This will not be San Diego's first eruv.  Another was constructed in 2004 without controversy near San Diego State University, in an area in which the city's oldest Orthodox congregation, Congregation Beth Jacob, as well as a Chabad House and a Hillel House are located.  Rabbi Avram Bogopulsky of Congregation Beth Jacob said there have been no problems as a result of the eruv. Meanwhile, in University City which is adjacent and east of  La Jolla, a proposal for another eruv sought by Chabad of University City encountered little opposition at a meeting of that community's advisory planning group.

In La Jolla, however, the eruv proposal has encountered stiff opposition at every turn, the most recent action coming March 2 when the advisory La Jolla Community Planning Association voted 8-1, without debate to support a recommendation by the La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee against construction of the eruv. 

Constructing the La Jolla  eruv would require the stringing of a monofilament line around a six and a half square  mile area, bounded on the north by La Jolla Village Drive, on the east by Interstate 5, on the south by La Jolla Parkway (formerly Ardath Road), and on the west by Torrey Pines Road.  In many cases that line would run along natural borders, but in four locations the construction of a 20-foot-high, three-inch diameter pole is proposed in order to support  the wire.  (See map)

Some of the people who testified against the eruv during hearings Feb. 21 and Feb. 28  expressed concern that if the wire were too taut, it could harm birds flying in the area. Concerns also were voiced about the possibility of the wires falling and causing safety hazards.  

Additionally, concerns were voiced that permitting the eruv would be an unwarranted and unconstitutional instance of government support for religion. Separation of church and state is a raging issue in La Jolla where since the 1950s a large Christian cross atop Mount Soledad may be seen for miles around. Various federal courts have ruled that the cross violates the separation of church and state provisions of both the California and federal Constitution, but the issue remains on appeal. 

Although the case against the cross was filed in behalf of a local atheist, such Jewish groups as the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League, at times, have lent moral support to the plaintiff, and this, too, may factor into the controversy over the eruv.

With the San Diego City Council already having approved an eruv near San Diego State University, it is possible its members will consider that action as having set a precedent. City Council President Scott Peters, who represents the La Jolla area, was quoted in the March 9 La Jolla Light as stating: "The eruv is not a religious symbol. The main difference is the courts have told us we have to take down the cross are eruvs are protected. If we could leave the cross up, I'd like to do that, too."

Besides Adat Yeshurun and Hillel, La Jolla is home to the Conservative Congregation Beth El, Reform Congregation Beth Israel and Chabad of La Jolla Village.  All three are growing.