NJ Town Settles Suit Charging Discrimination Against Jews

It’s a familiar story in one New Jersey town, which settled a discrimination suit with the government for the second time in as many years.

Jackson Township reached an agreement with the New Jersey attorney general, the Asbury Park Press reported. State officials accused the township of discriminating against the Orthodox Jewish community.

As part of the settlement, the township will pay $575,000 in penalties, including $150,000 for a restitution fund. If terms are violated, the township could be on the hook for another $150,000.

On the real estate front, the township can’t enforce ordinances that prevent Orthodox Jews from building schools and other properties related to faith.

Jackson must also draft an ordinance addressing eruvim — the ceremonial wires used by practicing Jews so they can carry items on Shabbat and the holidays — and spell out permitting requirements for the construction of sukkahs, which are temporary shelters erected for Sukkot.

Jackson Township officials largely blamed former council members who effectively banned construction of schools and dormitories by the Orthodox Jewish community. In an unsigned statement, the officials acknowledged ordinances passed in 2017 were spurred by antisemitism in the community.

The statement added that “current township officials deny any discriminatory conduct on their watch.” Mayor Michael Reina, who was also in office when the ordinances passed, didn’t respond to the Asbury Park Press’ request for comment.

The state attorney general’s Division of Civil Rights will monitor the township’s compliance with the settlement.

The settlement mirrors a similar one with the Department of Justice last year. It required $150,000 for a restitution fund, a $45,000 civil penalty and the repeal of any discriminatory ordinances. The township did not admit any wrongdoing.

— Holden Walter-Warner