News Release
For Immediate Release: 5.20.26
Contact: John Manning, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Florida Synagogue, HOA Reach Near $1 Million Settlement in Lawsuit Correcting Antisemitic Actions
Orthodox Jewish community faced discrimination, and unlawful treatment from HOA.
Boca Raton, FL—First Liberty Institute and Jones Day, representing the Chabad Israel Center, reached a settlement with the Loggers’ Run Homeowners’ Association and its management company in Boca Raton, FL on the Chabad’s claims for illegal, discriminatory, and antisemitic actions against the Chabad and its founders, Rabbi Naftaly Hertzel and his wife Henya. The settlement requires the HOA to remove anti-religious language from its governing documents, permit the Hertzels to use the community newsletter to advertise events at their synagogue, and require the HOA to pay $850,000 to the Hertzels.
“This settlement sends a clear message that if you structure your HOA to provide cover for antisemitism or religious discrimination, you will be held accountable,” said Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “Religious freedom is for all Americans, even in their HOAs. We are thrilled for our clients, who simply want to practice their faith freely and without fear.”
“We are thankful that this settlement has finally brought resolution for Rabbi Hertzel and the Chabad,” added Eliot Pedrosa, a partner with Jones Day. “The Congregation has demonstrated exceptional patience and perseverance throughout a long and sometimes difficult process.”
“We are grateful to God that this settlement gives the Jewish community in Loggers’ Run the right to be treated equally with our neighbors. We are excited that this long ordeal is over, thankful for the efforts of our lawyers to achieve this just result, and look forward to continuing the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s teaching to increase in acts of goodness and kindness that strengthen and enrich this wonderful community,” said Rabbi Hertzel.
The claims in the case alleged that since 2015 the Hertzels and the Chabad community, who reside in the HOA area, have been denied the same rights allowed for all residents and groups within the community and have been the victims of discrimination and harassment. Specifically, the the Loggers’ Run HOA repeatedly singled out the Hertzels for selective rule enforcement while ignoring violations by other residents. The Hertzels alleged that they were told on one occasion that the homeowners “didn’t want Jews” in Loggers’ Run and a representative of the HOA told them that they “should have ended your kind in the 1930s.” Vandals knocked down religious symbols, spray-painted buildings, broken windows, and screamed antisemitic slurs outside their worship space while meetings were being conducted.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
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