Jackson, NJ - Nearly two months to the day after its township council closed a loophole that could have completely banned any eruvim within its borders, the Jackson township council has reversed its position in order to avoid a costly legal battle.

The Asbury Park Press (http://on.app.com/2koOkXS) reported that the township council is expected to ratify a settlement with Agudath Israel of America at a meeting that will be held tonight at 7:30 PM at the Jackson Town Hall.

The Agudah, which had already sued Jackson last spring for refusing to allow dormitories and schools within its borders, amended its lawsuit at the end of October, charging that banning an eruv violated the constitutional rights of the township’s Orthodox Jewish residents.

Tonight’s settlement will temporarily halt the lawsuit and will give both parties a chance to come to an agreement on the school and dormitory ban.

Rabbi Avi Schnall, Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey director, was not immediately available for comment.

As previously reported on VIN News (http://bit.ly/2kqzb8i), members of Jackson’s eruv committee had contacted the municipality about finding ways to construct an eruv legally within the township’s borders, hoping to work hand in hand with local government.  Several weeks later the township began cracking down on a rarely enforced ordinance on placing any items within the public right of way, which included an eruv.