February 4, 2015

Today, at a hearing on a motion for summary judgment, Collin County District Court Judge Jill Willis ruled that members of a small Orthodox Jewish community have a right to continue meeting in a Dallas, Texas home for private worship.

The Homeowners Association (“HOA”) and a member of the HOA had brought a lawsuit attempting to ban Congregation Toras Chaim from peacefully meeting for prayer, worship, and study in a private home.  

Because the tenets of the Jewish faith instruct that Orthodox Jews may not drive or ride in a car on the Sabbath or on Jewish holidays, Congregation Toras Chaim members must meet to worship at a place within walking distance of their homes.

Alleged harms offered as evidence by the HOA included one neighbor having to stop a vehicle for a woman pushing a baby carriage to cross the street—and another having to stop a vehicle so that a blind person could cross the street. Read more: