By Chabad of Towson
The story that you are about to read is unprecedented. At no time in America has a US court ordered a Jewish community center or synagogue demolished—until now.
A court in Baltimore County, Maryland, is trying to do just that. The court has ordered that the Chabad Center of Towson be bulldozed. It’s time for us to stand up. We cannot let this heartless injustice occur. Not now. Not ever.
The Story of Chabad on Campus is a story of a house that becomes a home. In every Chabad house, this story of mesiras nefesh (self-sacrifice) and ahavas yisroel (love for a fellow Jew) comes to life. It is a story that repeats itself in hundreds of universities around the world. Far from home both spiritually and physically and searching for warmth and belonging, assimilated and disengaged Jewish students, are welcomed into the open homes of the campus Rabbis and their families. These homes become their home, these families become their family, and these experiences lead a wary Jew to discover a newfound beauty in and a love for Judaism.
In Towson, Maryland this story began in 2008 when a young couple, Rabbi Mendy and Sheiny Rivkin, moved to a house on 14 Aighburth Rd. The Rivkins saw the empty rooms and bare walls as an edifice of future glory; a house that could surely turn around the lives of those around them. Sure enough, this house became home to thousands of Jewish students at Towson University. With Friday night dinners, social BBQs, Yeshiva night, Sinai Scholars, and Challah bakes, this home is bustling—bursting!—with Jewish life on campus.
With time, the house was outdoing itself in its capacity to hold so much. In desperate need of additional space, both for their family and for their extended family of Jewish students, plans were drawn and funds were raised to expand this incredible house of kindness. Rabbi and Mrs. Rivkin worked closely with the local council and with neighbors. Plans were tweaked and public hearings were attended to ensure that everything and everyone was toeing the line. Chabad went above and beyond the legal requirements in order to make certain that everyone was satisfied.
But unfortunately, our history has shown that, tragically for some, satisfaction is not possible when there is a Jewish presence. As construction progressed on the new Chabad House, a neighbors’ association focused their efforts on preventing Jewish students from having a home on Aighburth Rd. Not having any legal recourse, the neighbors and their attorneys, seemingly fueled by prejudice, combed through old documents until a covenant that neither side had been aware of was unearthed. It stated that the house on 14 Aighburth Rd. had to be set back 115 feet from the street.
The neighbors and their attorneys brought the offending documents to court and demanded that the judge issue a stop work order on Chabad’s construction. The judge refused, arguing that no irreparable harm would be caused to the neighbors through this construction. Chabad’s legal counsel, too, advised that construction move forward, as in cases such as these, the worst-case scenario is a financial settlement that is mediated between the parties.
When the matter did finally come to court, the judge ruled against Chabad, citing $17,000 of damage to the property value of the neighbor. Shockingly, the judge then said that the entire $1,000,000 building must be torn down to compensate for the $17,000 damage! To make matters even worse, Chabad’s request to spend $250,000 to move the building back 62 feet in order to comply with the covenant was also refused. To quote the neighbor, “Though moving the building would technically satisfy setback requirements, only tearing it down entirely would solve all its legal issues.”
All its issues? To which issues does she refer? Is it an issue to invite Jewish students to eat Shabbat dinner in your private home? Is it illegal for Jews to live and thrive in Towson, Maryland? Is it an issue to spread light, love and kindness?
80 years after Kristallnacht, a Rabbi’s home and a home for Jewish students is slated for destruction. For a ruling like this to be administered in the 21st century, in modern times, is horrific and chilling. Legal discrimination is still discrimination and must be opposed.
We hope that the Jewish world and all people of good conscience will come together and protest to prevent this terrible destruction from taking place. America is better than this.
Learn more about this story and support the efforts to fight this travesty, here: www.towsoncrisis.com
For a more in-depth legal outline of the case, Click here.
OK… So if it must be torn down – then a big crew needs to be put together to *disassemble* it, preserving as much of the building supplies as possible. Then show the court that the building has been demolished, so the legal requirement is satisfied.
Then re-build it within the proper location, and add on as well, making it as conspicuous [to the neighbor] as possible, but within legal boundaries.
In the meantime, they need to file an appeal with a higher court, and get a temporary injunction.
Maybe the bs flies in NY but not in Baltimore. The issue is not the setback. The other part conveniently left out is the usage. The street is for RESIDENCES only. A “House” with a dining room that seats over 100 is not a residence. And again maybe in the NY hock it works but not here. In Balt you cant just claim you have a super large family. Also the shul and other stuff. Lets be honest as Jews should be. This is Not a single family house, its a Chabad House used to serve as an institution to… Read more »
I’m with # 68 and #79. We need to try EVERYTHING listed here and pray HARD!
Who is this judge, name please.
offer the neighbor $100k cash? next.
If you really want to make a difference, then we need to attack on all fronts. First file some motion, any motion to stall. And get an appeal going. Second, get 5000 people in front of the house immediately and continuously until you force a compromise. But Jews would never do that.
It was all easily avoidable had the Attorneys for Chabad simply checked with the recorder of deeds and see if any restrictions exist. The covenant was RECORDED. The lawyers must have errors and ommissions legal malpractice insurance that could cover any loss to Chabad.
Immediately file an appeal within the approximately 10 day appeal period, interview some land use attorneys and seek supportive city counsel members to speak on your behalf at the appeal.
You must get in touch with ACLJ , Jay Sekulow . He is Jewish/American and represent Christians and Jews being persecuted/discriminated against. He has also represented a coach in WA state against the school. They would not allow him and his team to pray before games. Please go to ACLJ.ORG or Google Jay Sekulow. He and his team worked very hard to have Turkey release Pastor Andrew Brunson from prison. Pastor Andrew Brunson was reunited with his family here in the USA. Please contact ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice) Jay Sekulow. I truly believe his organization would take… Read more »
So very wrong on the every level of justice
Call Trump, Call the Gov, Call Dershowitz and call in a press release. The press will love this case and it will be picked up nationally. Get Towsend involved as well. This what has to be done asap. If needed chain youselved to the house and do not move an inch and have the 17K on hand if questions are asked. The press will love this and no Chabad house is going to be torn down.
Why the judge is so prejudice? Let those students have a home that cares about them!!!!
It’s Happening because of The many Jews who are appeasing Socialists / Islamists/ Anti- Senites from Radical Left ! Look at who is in WDC ?!? People like Schumer and his ilk ?!? It’s Horrible ! …1938 comes to mind …
The majority of Americans do not agree with such actions as this judge has taken. While anti-Jewish Bias is in the nation IT DEFINITELY IS NOT THE POLICY OF THIS NATION. As an individual Christian I am committed to standing with the Jewish people any time they face this kind of INJUSTICE..They are the children of God by their birth and I am a child of God
check the neighborhood properties for similar covenants.
Chabad student programs are always so positive, not only for the Jewish community but also for the whole community surrounding the the area of the house. This judge must either not have a heart or he is not getting the big picture. The repercussions of tearing down an establishment that give nothing but love and support to these students will be in the history books as a shameful act.
Have they notified Jared Kushner and his father-in-law of this mishegas? Jared is involved with and donates generously to Chabad and his father-in-law knows a thing or two about getting buildings completed.
Publicize the neighbor’s name and occupation. Drag his name through the mud and boycott his place of employment… place the employer in the situation where they need to fire the neighbor. Once this individual has been fired and his professional reputation irreparably tarnished, the neighbor will presumably run out of funds to pay off their mortgage. This will result in the bank repossessing the neighbor’s property and the neighbor will lose their legal claim. If anti-semites want to play hardball, lets play hardball!
You are 100% wrong. This act protects the rights of religious entities to use their land for such purposes as long a the general zoning is planned for houses of assembly. In other words, if a particular zone allows the use of land for cinemas and museums, the city also needs to allow in that zone a religious house of assembly.
The main issue is that the Shliach admitted that they are a house of assembly and they plan on staying as such after moving back. They can’t operate as a house of assembly unless they have a conditional use permit which will require neighbors approval. Probably if the Rabbi would have assured the court that from now on the property will be exclusively used as the Rabbi’s residence, the outcome would have been different. The attorneys might be able to push for this so the Rabbi can keep his house and find a different venue for the Chabad House or… Read more »
This is what I think they are not telling anyone , The street is proberbly one made up just of residential houses .Im willing to bet ,that covernent proberbly ,strictly forbids the erecting of ,or using any house in the street as a place of worship . This I can understand .The new house looks much larger than the rest on the street and let’s be honest ,it won’t just be the rabbis house.It will obviosly be used as a Jewish community Center as well as doubling up as a shul. Now I’m playing devils advocate here ,a residential street… Read more »
Your point is not 100% accurate. You are correct that a home can be used for religious purposes. However, a house of assembly is a completely different category. In other words, once you start officially marketing your address as a place of assembly it requires a conditional use permit which will require neighbors approval. What it does seems out of proportion here is the fact that the Chabad House is not given the choise to sell and move or stop running the programs from that address.
Lobby the city and start a petition to change the street, moving it 60 feet further away from the building. Offer to pay for it. This should be simplest most cost effective way. Add something to sweeten the pot for the city. New street lights? A dog park?
Up here in Monsey, NY there are many Chasidic and other orthodox buildings which have been fought over by patrons and municipalities, and won . If you consult with any builder up here, you’ll find the best, experienced lawyers in this particular legal type of battle. For sure.
It is also anti-Antisemitism when the response to a wrong is disproportionate.
Chabad admits it should pay (or bear the cost of moving). But why are they being denied that option.
Similarly in Rubashkin’s case, what makes it anti-semitisim was the singular focus on the Jewish person doing what many others do and the completely disproportionate response.
I don’t think people are comparing to Kristalnacht in the seriousness, but rather to illustrate how shocking it is that a shul would be torn down, which, bottom line, hasn’t happened before now.
Sometimes motivations are obvious from actions. You’re correct the shluchim won one round and the neighhbors one another round. However, the Shluchim HAVE offered to settle and pay and HAVE offered to move. Note, that there is NOTHING in the covenant and the relevant law that would prohibit moving it back. The argument that the covenant requires destruction is simply untrue. The neighbors argued (and the court) ruled that they cannot move because of the use. As to your point that having students is not dinner guests – noone is saying (or said) that they aren’t servicing students. They are… Read more »
Give folks what they want puts you in control.
The first party’s invite should have been to the neighbours, then none of this would have even entered their minds to oppose them.
Thank you for your comments and your point of view. I agree that the rush to assume anti-Semitism is not helpful. Even in Rubashkin’s case all I heard for years was “anti-Semitism,” “anti-Semitism” the judge in that case was a ***** but there were other issues going on besides anti-Semitism. And, I agree, the Kristalnacht reference was a bit too much.
I wish the shluchim much hatzlacha!
You’re correct that the main argument was the use of the house. That in fact is the whole point, if this wasn’t a covenant case, such an argument would lose in an instant. You’re 100% allowed to use your house for religious purposes.
It was highly inappropriate for the judge to bring the issue of the house’s use into the case and one is left to wonder what the case was really about, the covenant or the use?!
Of course one needs to due their due diligence. Sometimes despite due diligence mistakes can be made. The point is not whether a mistake was made, but what the reaction to that mistake is. They should have to pay for the 17K damage, not tear down the whole building. Also, putting their address on a website is beside the point. This Chabad house, like mane others, operates out of the family’s personal home. What has that got to do with whether it is a synagogue (it is not, they sometimes hold services in their home) and, more importantly, with whether… Read more »
Clearly violation of.. Happened in Toms River chabad, Jackson, NJ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_Land_Use_and_Institutionalized_Persons_Act
Why don’t you send it to Alan dershowitz to see if he can help you solve the situation I know it happened once in New York on 96th Street because of zoning regulations they had to tell down about 10 to 15 floors
Your neighbors do not hate Jews. You have built a community center in a residential neighborhood, you are attracting large numbers of college students from a nearby campus onto your residential street. You did all this strictly legally, by exploiting the legal avenues available to you. Your neighbors don’t hate you, they don’t hate having you as neighbors, they hate your running a campus Jewish center in an off-campus residential street. That is valid. And they are exploiting the legal avenues available to them to make this stop. You won one round, they won the next. DO NOT turn this… Read more »
Just because one gets a zoning variance — if one was applied for and approved — that does not mean that someone can build whatever they want in a residential neighborhood.
So I understand that everything was approved by the planning and building dept. The question is, was it approved as a residential house or as a house of assembly? Huge difference, specifically if the house address was all over the Chabad House website and social media and/or if they had business signs outside of the home. The main argument of the court is that the main issue is not the setback but that it is an illegal house of assembly.
Did I get something wrong?
They did everything legally. Read the article then say tehillim that they will succeed.
A covenant is supposed to apply to all the houses in the area. Are all the other homes 115 feet from the street? From google maps, it does not seem so.
This case does not seem like it is anti-Semitism. People like quiet near their homes and may be nervous with a thousand students nearby having barbeques, etc.
I love the Lubavitcher Rebbe and the work of his followers. I love the Jewish people in large part because of the Rebbe’s example and teachings. Which is why I am embarassed that no one commenting on this thread has bothered to read the judge’s opinion or the Appellate Court’s opinion affirming the judge’s ruling. If they had, many errors could have been avoided as would the rush to assume anti-Semitiic motives. I read the opinions and here are the key points: 1. The restrictive covenant prohibiting the construction of the house in the front of the lot dates back… Read more »
How is this evaluated? It’s impossible to know this inly time can tell. This May be a projection but how csn one judge on projection?!
1) Chapter 11 Bankruptcy has an automatic stay which stops everything, and gives you more time to appeal in state court – which should balance the equities 2) Tone down the anti-Semitism angle, since you want this decided legally in Court, not politically – the balance of the equities favors you, ( You can get a political solution – see my later comment ) 3) When you speak to local counsel, ask about how you can avoid being classified as a single-asset Chapter 11 debor – this will allow you a longer period of time to get the automatic stay,… Read more »
In addition to any other help, please message Councilman David Marks, who is very influential in the neighborhood, at [email protected] or via his webpage councilmandavidmarks.com. Your message should begin with the following: “I am joining thousands of Chabad supporters from Maryland and across America to urge you: Stop the injustice now.” Additionally, while your message should convey your thoughts, we ask that you consider writing in your own words a message that conveys the following “thought starters.” 1. At no time in America has a US court ordered a Jewish community center or synagogue demolished. Until now! A court in… Read more »
WAS THERE NIO ENGINEER OR ARCHITECT?
THEY SHOULD SHOULDER PART OF THE PROBLEM. IF PUTTING IT BACK WOULD RECTIFY THIS WHY ISN’T IT BEING ARBITRATED? TAKE IT TO SUPREME COURT AS PREJUDICE. GET THE PRESIDENT INVOLVED IN THIS ANTI-SEMITIC ACT.
Contact ACLU–religious discrimination and harassment.
I have been at the Rovkin’s many times. They are everything a Shliach and Shlucha should be. This whole situation is unbelivably disruptive to their shlichus. Lets help them get back to the work they are most needed for. Please daven and donate. SR Baltimore
At first I thought of it as a joke, but maybe it’s not – maybe contact the DC Chabad in Leroy Pl – that is where Jared and Ivanka go.
I am actually reeling. How?!?!?!?? Anti semites. And I mean it. You can’t just tear down a chabad house like that it’s not ok. Someone has to do something.
The local shluchim and the regional director are totally behind the Rivkins and doing all in their power to assist. This is a anti-Semitic neighbor who found a sympathetic judge who is making up the laws as they are going along. LOcal lawyers can’t figure out a justification for these rulings. The judge wrote the judgments in a manner that it can’t be repealed.
We need a real miracle, let’s show some achdus and go down their with 10 full busses from ch. And make a shtorem!!
And would be a good idea to first stop at the ohel. Also let’s send this neighbor some mail..
To #19 You’re saying the neighbor found whatever it was To show that it wasnot legal to build that close to the street So the question is who should be responsible being that they did get permits and The neighbors tried to stop the building and the judge said to carry-on so the question now is who should carry the responsibility ? May Hashem blessed them with loads of blessings .
you guys are amazing!! we are with you all the way!!
The story with the guy and the Torah elicited hundreds of comments and yet here we have a story that is truly an attack against the Rebbe and the Jewish people as a whole…everyone should comment and show we will not stand for this so that its noise reaches all those that need to hear it
Write a letter to President Trump!! He will put his opinion out there!! This should not be happening!!
The title insurance is on the hook only for what they paid at the time of purchase. Not for the present value of the property.
Looks like the jew haters are testing the waters to see how far they can go, exploiting grey areas in the law. I mean come on, I couldn’t care less if my neighbor extends his house backward or forward. And if he really felt like paying me, because he thought i was upset, then I would gladly take the money! In this case, since they dont even want the money, its obvious that it is an antisemitic wave that is fuelling their hatred. P.s. Boycott the contractor who was assigned the demolition and vote everyone who supported this travesty to… Read more »
They are amazing shluchim that always have their house packed! The money donated is to help pay really famous expensive lawyers they hired to fight the case. Please help!
Watch them back down then. Publicize who this is in articles
Need to start building 1000 more chabad houses, right away!
Counter suit should be bright against the neighbor for discrimination. To wit, the neighbor declined the offer to move the building.
This is, imho, an indication that our time in America is ending.
there are a number of shluchim who have had similar issues with a DEED or COVENANT and neighbors trying to use that against them, i think that consultation with them would be the best idea on how to fight.
there is also RLUPA which shluchim have used to fight and won with
Please advise judge’s name and how and where to send protest
In 1964, author Harvey Swados asked the Rebbe if Germany could repeat its actions; the Rebbe replied “Morgen in der frei” tomorrow morning and explained Germany’s socio-historic past.
Swados wrote an article “He could melt a blizzard “ which was published in the NY Times after gimmel tammuz. I believe the article is available on Chabad.org
If this was a Mosque, tis judge would not dare make such a ruling, and the rabble rousers among the neighbors, would not say one word against it.
PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO WHERE PEOPLE CAN ADDRESS THEIR PROTESTATIONS TO THE JUDGE. KEEP IN MIND THAT ANY LETTERS MUST BE WRITTEN IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER. I WOULD ASSUME THAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO APPEAL THIS RULING AND PUT A HOLD ON ANY ACTIONS ORDERED BY THE JUDGE. PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION AS TO WHERE DONATIONS SHOULD BE SENT.
And all this is about around 59 feet from the street? Anti-Semitism strikes again!
Well, a judge was able to make an unprecedented and unjustified ruling against Rubashkin using a modicom of actual law and a great deal of irrational bias- and got away with it for 9 years. Different judge, just more of the same.
They are the real deal! Going to donate.
Watch the video. It was done legally.
The convenent was found after they had all the permits and were halfway though.
They asked for the building to stop, the judge said no.
I work in Real Estate, but not in MD. If – ***IF*** – this Restrictive Covenant was not discovered and disclosed, the Title Company is most likely on the hook for the cost of all this fiasco. The million-dollar building, the legal costs, EVERYTHING is likely on the Title Insurance Policy.
Secondarily, the City and/or County are also likely responsible, as they generally have a duty to ensure that permits are not issued that violate Restrictive Covenants (a/k/a ‘Deed Restrictions’).
Someone once asked the rebbe if the Holocaust could ever happen again and the rebbe’s response was this afternoon meaning it could happen immediately given everything that has been in the news lately this recent piece of news really tops the list and community and organizational leaders need to stand up and we need to go on the offencive to prevent something terrible from happening
You clearly didnt pay attention to what was said in the video… They didnt EVERYTHING legally and some neighbor brought them trouble
Next time watch what you say before saying it.
Much hatzlacha
Tefillos of course and you can reach out via email to [email protected] for further involvement.
From the web page towsoncrisis.com
” The funds are currently being used to pay for an important Federal discrimination case that is being brought by renowned attorney Nat Lewin.”
Everything was done legally. After the building was halfway built the neighbor dug up a covenant that neither party was aware of and brought suit. Read more here. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JzADOk9IPXYk8FSaLc7u8hTZ7CGJZvBMZ9iVoORJib8/edit
To number 1:Campaign Purpose and Usage of Funds: Help Chabad of Towson fight the unprecedented destruction of a Jewish home for students, just because it is a Jewish home! Please help them continue their sacred work in the face of incredible adversity. The funds are currently being used to pay for an important Federal discrimination case that is being brought by renowned attorney Nat Lewin. Possible expenditures connected with the future of the building include: (I) paying for a settlement with the neighbors, (ii) paying to move the house (if it it is permitted by the court to do so),… Read more »
Write to the Rebbe asap!
Beautiful chabad house, very friendly rabbi and rebbetzin.
I’ll be saying some tehillim for you.
You mean to tell me that among the Shluchim and Head Shluchim and all the other Head offices, they dont have Lawyers that will protect this Shaliach from a moronic Judge??? Come on now? Where is everyone???
How can we get involved besides monetarily ??
Hatzlacha rabba.
We are all davening for you.
Besuros tovos
At the end of the day, do things legally and this won’t happen!
This is crazy
What can we do?
Get trump involved?
This can’t be happening!!!
I know the Rivkins personally.
They are such amazing, inspiring Shluchim!
Whoever can, please join me in supporting them!
Consult with Alan Dershowitz or Nat Lewin ASAP
if they got permits how can the judge rules to demolish.
if the building no good the city should know it before hand