Eruv Info

SILVER SPRING ERUV ASSOCIATION, INC.

Silver Spring Eruv Association Map
Use the form at the bottom of this page to sign up for automatic eruv alerts.

Tax-deductible donations to the Silver Spring Eruv Association may now be made using PayPal:

Click here for 2023 Appeal

Eruv Construction Guidelines
Occasionally the Silver Spring Eruv has been down and can be down for an extended period of time depending on the repairs required.
Basic guidelines for constructing your own Eruv [PDF]

It is very important to follow this guidance, but do not rely solely on this pamphlet. Many individual circumstances could make an Eruv not kosher. Have your eruv checked by a competent person. Some community rabbis and trained Eruv volunteers may be able to inspect your Eruv BUT ONLY IF GIVEN PLENTY OF NOTICE.

The Silver Spring Eruv Association, Inc., provides a halachically reliable eruv for the benefit of the Jewish community in the Silver Spring, MD, neighborhoods of Hillandale, White Oak, Woodmoor, Northwood, Kemp Mill, and Wheaton. See our current map for the boundaries of the eruv. Rabbinic guidance is given by Orthodox Rabbis in our community in accordance with the rulings of our long-time rav hamachshir Rabbi Gedaliah Anemer zt"l. SSEA is an independent community organization, not associated with any synagogue or other community institution.

SSEA is supported by donations from the community, which provides funding to operate and maintain the Eruv. SSEA is a 501.c.3 organization and accepts direct donations. The suggested annual contribution is $54 per household for the SSEA fiscal year (begins October 1). To ensure the tax-deductibility of your donation, make your check payable to:

Silver Spring Eruv Association, Inc.
Mail it to: 707 Lamberton Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20902

The eruv is inspected before every Shabbat (usually on Friday). We cannot know ahead of time if the eruv will be up. If we ever know in advance that it will be down, we always announce that as soon as possible. Never put yourself in a position where you "must" have the eruv "up". Learn how to cope if the eruv is "down".

As with any area of halachah, instruction and guidance should be sought from a competent Rabbi. We offer the following general guidelines to help you formulate questions:

  • If the eruv is "up", items may be carried in the "public domain".
    • NOT items which are otherwise impermissible (muktzah – e.g. umbrella).
    • Only items needed for that Shabbat may be carried (e.g. a siddur to shul is OK, but NOT sneakers for when Tisha B'Av falls out Saturday night).
    • Ball playing is a particular issue for Rabbinic guidance.
  • Never assume that the eruv is up; check a reliable source before carrying on Shabbat.
    • Do not assume that "the eruv is always OK."
    • Our Friday inspections often reveal needs for repair.
    • Do not rely on the eruv if it has not been inspected.
    • There are special concerns when Friday (and Thursday) is (are) Yom Tov.
  • Even if the eruv has been declared up for a Shabbat, do not rely on the eruv if there are damaging winds (e.g. trees or wires down in the region of the eruv).

Other than our paid Friday inspectors and professional bucket truck repairs, SSEA operates entirely with volunteer labor. We can always use help with: administration and organization; engineering; Friday (and Sunday) repairs; spot inspections on Friday Yom Tov; and annual inspections of the Beltway fence. Find out from your shul how to contact the SSEA volunteers.

SYNAGOGUE ERUV LINE
YISE 301-593-5561

Use the form below to sign up for eruv alerts:

SILVER SPRING ERUV ASSOCIATION, INC.

Automatic Eruv Status Notification

To receive automatic weekly notification of Eruv status please complete the following form.

While there is no charge from the Silver Spring Eruv Association, sending emails to a cellular phone or other portable device may result in charges from your wireless provider.

Please enter only one email address at a time. If you want to register more than one email address, please reload this page and Submit a new form for each email address.
Name: (required)
email: (required)


If you have any questions about this system please send an email to: webmaster@yise.org

In order to make this system as useful as possible for the maximum number of people, the messages will be kept very short. This will allow use of the system with Nextel and other digital phones that accept text messages, Blackberry systems, alphanumeric pagers, etc. as well as traditional email systems.

All the system needs from you is a name and a valid email address.

If you have a cellular phone, you may be able to use one of the following email addresses:

Service Format Example
Verizon phonenumber@vtext.com 3015551212@vtext.com
Nextel phonenumber@page.nextel.com 3015551212@page.nextel.com
T-Mobile phonenumber@tmomail.net 3015551212@tmomail.net
Cingular phonenumber@cingularme.com 3015551212@cingularme.com
Sprint phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com 3015551212@messaging.sprintpcs.com

This information will ONLY be used for Eruv status notification:

  • The Eruv is UP
  • The Eruv is DOWN
  • Advance notice of possible Eruv problems or boundary changes

This information will NOT be used for:

  • Fundraising
  • Shul event notification
  • Any non-Eruv related use

If you have any questions about this system or if you want to CANCEL your automatic notification, please send an email to: eruv@yise.org