The Center City / South Philly Eruv is (still) DOWN

Dear Friends,

 

We want to update you on the current status of the Center City / South Philly Eruv: it is currently temporarily down, and we are working diligently to restore it as soon as possible.

 

With the retirement of our longtime eruv repair expert, Rabbi Rephoel Szmerla, a new professional, Rabbi Baruch Gore, is now taking over. The two are currently working together to conduct a full inspection of the eruv’s extensive and complex layout to ensure a smooth and responsible transition. Given the size and scope of our city eruv, this process is understandably taking time. While several areas in need of repair have already been identified, they are waiting until the full inspection is complete before beginning the necessary work.

 

We want to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to Rabbi Szmerla for his many years of dedicated service. Week after week—often in difficult weather and late in the day on Fridays—he worked tirelessly to maintain and repair the eruv for the community. His quiet, consistent efforts were a key reason why our eruv was reliably up most weeks, and we thank him sincerely.

 

We’re also grateful to welcome Rabbi Baruch Gore as our new eruv repair professional. Rabbi Gore brings extensive experience repairing and maintaining eruvin throughout the area and is an excellent fit for our community. His familiarity with both the halachic and practical aspects of eruv maintenance makes for a seamless transition as he steps into this vital role.

 

It is important to note that the original Rav Hamachshir (halachic authority) of our eruv was Rabbi Aharon Dov Brisman, zt"l, a highly respected posek and communal leader who passed away a few years ago. The eruv will only be called back up once it is determined that the current eruv boundaries conform to Rabbi Brisman’s original halachic vision and intent.

 

Looking ahead, although it will take time, we will also be searching for a new Rav Hamachshir to oversee the eruv on an ongoing basis. This process may require additional halachic input and potential adjustments to the current layout.

 

In addition to routine maintenance, structural upgrades are also needed due to changes in city infrastructure and evolving technology. These improvements are essential for maintaining the halachic integrity and long-term stability of the eruv.

 

We know how central the eruv is to our lives, enhancing our experience of Shabbat in so many ways, and we are doing everything we can to bring it back into service as quickly and responsibly as possible.

 

We’re also asking for your help.

 

These inspections, current repairs, and the potential expenses associated with bringing in a new Rav Hamachshir all come at a significant cost. If you're able to contribute to the eruv repair fund, your generosity will go directly toward sustaining this vital community resource and helping us get the eruv up and running sooner.

 

You can donate here: DONATE

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Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. We’ll keep you posted as work progresses. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

 

For halachic questions regarding carrying while the eruv is down, please consult your rabbi.

 

The merit of keeping Shabbat will be a blessing to you, your family, our community, and the entire Jewish people.

 

Rabbi Eliezer Hirsch
Director, Center City / South Philly Eruv