Chabad Lawsuit Against Toms River Headed To Mediation: Report

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A federal mediator is scheduled to sit down with Toms River officials and Rabbi Moshe Gourarie over the federal civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of Gourarie and Chabad Jewish Center against the township over zoning rules conflicts, according to a report.

The Asbury Park Press reported the mediation session with retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Rosen is scheduled for April 5.

The lawsuit was filed last March by Gourarie and the Chabad Jewish Center against Toms River and the Board of Adjustment after the zoning board ruled in December 2015 that a use variance was needed to operate the Chabad on Church Road; churches, synagogues, temples and other houses of worship have not been permitted in the zone for several years.

The lawsuit claims the zoning board's decision was the result of increasing anti-Semitism in Toms River and conflicts with members of the ultra-Orthodox community. The lawsuit was filed just days before the Chabad was to go before the zoning board on the use variance request; the application has been on hold since then.

In addition to the civil rights lawsuit, Toms River also is under investigation by the federal Justice Department over its zoning rules.

Read more here.

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Rabbi Moshe Gourarie. Karen Wall photo