Friday, September 11, 2009
Rabbi Sues Town for Right to Synagogue
After seeking permission for more than 2 years to turn an old Victorian home near the Town Green into a synagogue, an Orthodox Jewish organization filed a civil rights lawsuit against Litchfield and its Historic District Commission. A Methodist Church sits two doors away from the proposed site of the synagogue.
The federal complaint claims that the town used its architectural standards to violate the Chabad Lunavitch's right to practice religion under the federal Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
"In addition to burdening the plaintiffs' religious exercise, defendants have made statements disparaging plaintiffs' religious uses," the Chabad and its rabbi say. "This targeting is the direct result of the defendants' opposition to plaintiffs' religious sect."
Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach claims, "This targeting has been based in large part on anti-Hasidic animus." The complaint cites comments made by several people in town during the review of Chabad's planned changes to the home.
According to the minutes of a Litchfield Historic Commission meeting, its chairwoman "noted her own objections to the stone, which is not indigenous to the district, feels the clock tower is not appropriate, and the Star of David may not comply with the district."
An attorney for one of the selectwomen stated that the proposed improvements and use of the building should be reviewed as if it were a "strip joint."
Rabbi Eisenbach said he planned to replace the home's slate foundation with stone from Israel and build a steeple to display the Star of David. He also sought to expand the home to accommodate a community center.
It would be the only synagogue in this quaint New England town.
The rabbi says his temple has outgrown its space in a strip mall, next to a Dunkin Donuts and a Senor Panchos. He claims that the small space limits not the practice of the Jewish faith, and has forced him to turn away parishioners.
To accommodate its growth, the Chabad bought the old Victorian home near the Town Green. A Methodist Church sits two doors down from the proposed site of the synagogue. Rabbi Eisenach say says Christian religious facilities in the historic district were allowed to modify their building in a manner that exceeded what Chabad has proposed.
Kenneth Slater of Halloran and Sage and Frederick Nelson of the American Liberties Institute represent the plaintiffs.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/09/11/Rabbi_Sues_Town_for_Right_to_Synagogue.htm
The federal complaint claims that the town used its architectural standards to violate the Chabad Lunavitch's right to practice religion under the federal Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
"In addition to burdening the plaintiffs' religious exercise, defendants have made statements disparaging plaintiffs' religious uses," the Chabad and its rabbi say. "This targeting is the direct result of the defendants' opposition to plaintiffs' religious sect."
Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach claims, "This targeting has been based in large part on anti-Hasidic animus." The complaint cites comments made by several people in town during the review of Chabad's planned changes to the home.
According to the minutes of a Litchfield Historic Commission meeting, its chairwoman "noted her own objections to the stone, which is not indigenous to the district, feels the clock tower is not appropriate, and the Star of David may not comply with the district."
An attorney for one of the selectwomen stated that the proposed improvements and use of the building should be reviewed as if it were a "strip joint."
Rabbi Eisenbach said he planned to replace the home's slate foundation with stone from Israel and build a steeple to display the Star of David. He also sought to expand the home to accommodate a community center.
It would be the only synagogue in this quaint New England town.
The rabbi says his temple has outgrown its space in a strip mall, next to a Dunkin Donuts and a Senor Panchos. He claims that the small space limits not the practice of the Jewish faith, and has forced him to turn away parishioners.
To accommodate its growth, the Chabad bought the old Victorian home near the Town Green. A Methodist Church sits two doors down from the proposed site of the synagogue. Rabbi Eisenach say says Christian religious facilities in the historic district were allowed to modify their building in a manner that exceeded what Chabad has proposed.
Kenneth Slater of Halloran and Sage and Frederick Nelson of the American Liberties Institute represent the plaintiffs.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/09/11/Rabbi_Sues_Town_for_Right_to_Synagogue.htm
Comments:
This is an embarrassment for all us frum yidden in the area - the town would not allow ANYONE to build the giant building Eisenbach is proposing on their historic town green, not Jew, not Christian, not Wal-Mart.
He is trying to use the anti-semite card to be allowed to build something that nobody in the town wants at that location.
There's no reason he can't build it a half-mile away anyway: it would be closer to his house and all his congregants drive to shul regardless.
He is trying to use the anti-semite card to be allowed to build something that nobody in the town wants at that location.
There's no reason he can't build it a half-mile away anyway: it would be closer to his house and all his congregants drive to shul regardless.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: September 11, 2009 2:37 PM
: September 11, 2009 2:37 PM
Dear Anonymous, As a weekender here, and one of the only Modern Orthodox Jews in Litchfield County.
Your post screams pure hate for Chabad, there ARE NO FRUM yidden in Litchfield. thank G-D no one knows that word FRUM, as the rebbes Shlichim only know Jews, and FRUM, LiTVISH those labels don't mean anything, its the neshomos that count.
So you don't have a clue what the law is in LITCHFIELD. As a partner in one of NYC biggest Real Estate law firms, and one who loves Chabad around the world, especially those sweet Rabbi & rebetzin in litchfield, let me tell you that the Chabad building is 100% legal acording to the planing & zoning, it is just that another board, who has legaly NO SAY about P&Z, decided to denu chabad based on many shocking reasons.
I don't want to bore anyone. But as someone who writes FRUM, you should be embarrassed for your Loshon Horah, Rechilus and all the other stuff that my father was taught in Chaim Berlin.
Here are some facts http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-litchfield-synagogue-0911_.artsep11,0,2788357.story
Post a Comment
Your post screams pure hate for Chabad, there ARE NO FRUM yidden in Litchfield. thank G-D no one knows that word FRUM, as the rebbes Shlichim only know Jews, and FRUM, LiTVISH those labels don't mean anything, its the neshomos that count.
So you don't have a clue what the law is in LITCHFIELD. As a partner in one of NYC biggest Real Estate law firms, and one who loves Chabad around the world, especially those sweet Rabbi & rebetzin in litchfield, let me tell you that the Chabad building is 100% legal acording to the planing & zoning, it is just that another board, who has legaly NO SAY about P&Z, decided to denu chabad based on many shocking reasons.
I don't want to bore anyone. But as someone who writes FRUM, you should be embarrassed for your Loshon Horah, Rechilus and all the other stuff that my father was taught in Chaim Berlin.
Here are some facts http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-litchfield-synagogue-0911_.artsep11,0,2788357.story
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : September 13, 2009 4:45 PM
: September 13, 2009 4:45 PM
