By COLlive reporter
School teacher Yosefa Wood-Isenberg (formerly Yosefa Jalal) has settled her discrimination lawsuit against the health club chain Lucille Roberts in Manhattan federal court, her attorneys said.
Wood-Isenberg was targeted and harassed by employees of a Brooklyn branch of the health club chain in July of 2015, who said Ms. Wood-Isenberg was not allowed to work out in a modest, fitted, knee-length skirt.
She was also told that her membership was revoked and she was banned from the Lucille Roberts gym.
Wood-Isenberg sued the women’s-only fitness company, accusing them of religious discrimination in violation of federal, state and city statutes.
The settlement reinstates Ms. Wood-Isenberg’s membership in the gym, permits her to wear a fitted skirt at the gym, and formalizes a new policy permitting gymgoers to wear fitted skirts for religious reasons. The settlement also includes a confidential monetary payment.
“I am so thankful that I and other Jewish women can work out in a facility without compromising our religious beliefs,” said Ms. Wood-Isenberg. “This is a joyous win for women who dress modestly. I thank G-d, our legal team, and all who supported us along the way.”
“This is an important victory for religious freedom,” said Ilann M. Maazel, counsel for Ms. Wood-Isenberg. “Observant Jewish women should be able to work out at a gym like anyone else, and now, at Lucille Roberts they can. We applaud Lucille Roberts for doing the right thing.”
“Whether you wear a long skirt, a hijab, or a t-shirt promoting atheism, places of public accommodation are for you. We encourage others to join Lucille Roberts in embracing this core American principle,” said Doug Lieb, another lawyer for Ms. Wood-Isenberg.
My daughter left Lucille Roberts over just this issue. She was losing weight, and its been hard to maintain that loss without the regular workout she used to get there. No, our Rav would not give a heter to use a coed gym, so Yosefa’s hard fought battle has acheived a significant victory for all, and she deserves immense gratitude!
This woman is just like all those other liberal snowflakes.. stop causing drama and suing left and right. Stop being offended by everything. Plus this sounds a warped way to make some $$$
The rebbe and Hashem must be very proud of you
Some nice points for the new coming year
B”H
Great to read the good news. I did however notice you referred to her as ‘Ms.’ Wood- Isenberg – she’s married – it should read Mrs. Wood-Isenberg.
I’m very proud of you Yosefa!
All the Yentas defending Yosefa have your priorities in the wrong order. A gym is not a place for a nice frum lady to workout. If you must workout then do it at home or with a friend in her home or basement. Many halochos are designed to keep Yidden away from mingling with Goyim and this Yosefa goes out of her way to join a Goyishe Gym which has male members or workers on premises. If she is worried about tznius then the gym is not the modest way for a Yid to workout. Maybe she also saw an… Read more »
#8 already pointed out the blatant contradiction between points B and C. Point C also contradicts point A; how can skirts be a hazard at some gyms but not others? If you’re sure she can find one that will allow the skirt then what justifies LR banning it?
she just wants to work her upper body so the skirt doesn’t interfere. Cos I don’t see how its possible to work the lower body in a close fitting skirt.
#6 the women just gave her opinion, you could say that about everyone that had something to say on the topic
It’s about time we spoke up and stuck up for ourselves. moshiach times. Although, it would be even better if we could finally get a fitness center right here for frum people complete with clean swimming pool and machines. Something like yeled v’yalda fitness center but cheaper!
And to number 1- skirts are a safety hazard, just like a soldier having a beard in the army, right? Lol
There’s only one thing that could say we want Moshaich now that is all 🙂
When Lucille Roberts first opened up, practically our whole class would go there. We ALL wore skirts ALL the time! We went there all through our high school years.Never ever a peep from anyone. When I read this story last year, I hoped she would take them to court. This is anti-semitism rearing its ugly head again. B”H for her perseverance and with G-D’s help,WINNING! Now the sad and sorry state of affairs within Am Yisroel!!! Why does a YID always have to open up their mouth, and say something, deliberately in defense of a goy, And knocking a YID,… Read more »
Thank you!! So nice to see this. I’m sure it wasn’t easy work but it makes this gym accessible to all of us who only would want to work out in modest clothing. Thanks again.
Points B and C of your comments are contradictory, did you notice? In any case, maybe this person lives very close to a L.R. facility and can make time to go to the gym only if it’s close by, or maybe she goes there for some other reason she doesn’t feel the need to share with you .Why are you assuming that she’s just being “ridiculous,” to use your offensive description of her action? personally, I wouldn’t want to work out where I’m not wanted and/or am being disparaged, but good for this client for following through on her constitutionally… Read more »
Shows the power of one person. What a role model.
Thank you so much for making this possible for all of us.
I was also once told i cannot workout there with a skirt and so I quietly left, but this is the right thing to do. Amazing.
We did not ask for your ideas or advice. Thanks anyways for the effort in bringing goishkeit and assimilation, it just makes us stronger 😉
Yasher Choach, כל הכבוד!
Tzniut always wins
Major kudos to Hashem, while others may be throwing off their elegant/modest clothing even when not exercising you are trying to so hard be modest even while exercising. I love you and wish you Bracha and Hatzlacha in everything you do.
Bravo Yosefa! This is a win for tznius and religious acceptance!
a) wearing skirts at the gym is a safety hazard, hence the rules.
b) there is nothing wrong with wearing gym clothes at an all-women’s gym.
c) Lucille Roberts has male staff & a handful of male members (who retain their membership from before it became a women’s-only gym), so since it’s not a man-free environment anyway, why not just work out at a better, cheaper, co-ed gym? I’m sure you can find one that would allow the skirt without the whole lawsuit thing.