A former Lakewood resident who now resides in Jackson received a violation notice for erecting a Sukkah – a hut built by Jews for the Sukkot holiday – on his rear deck.
“Sukkah built w/o prior zoning approval,” the violation notice states. (Click on the violation notice to enlarge.)
“I moved to Jackson a year ago and I was just very shocked to get this in the mail today for building a Sukkah,” the resident told TLS.
He has until October 9, 2015 to remove the Sukkah (pictured), or face fines.
[TLS]
Lakewood inspection dept isn’t so bad after all
As in new york in the days of the blue laws
Soon jackson will have a law your business must be open Saturday
So what’s the problem?
I don’t know why Jews are running to Jackson.
Jews are supposed to live amongst Jews only (ghetto?) .
They don’t want us there. Our existence bothers some.
Jackson Township hates Jews.
The residents and political figures there, do anything and everything to mess with the Jewish people.
The zoning law requires a permit for a permanent structure.
No permit is needed for building a tent or a Hut in your backyard. Let alone on your porch.
The zoning board is a disgrace.
reminds me of on old joke, thats why I agree with # 3,
Sorry guys I don’t see the issue. Township has no problem with it during Chag, they just want it down in a reasonable time period. It is a hazard that does not need to be there past the 9th. Particularly in anticipated weather. Let’s all chill and enjoy our freedom in 2015. We are not above the law, when not needed.
This is just a formality they went out of their way to give him enough time to take it down after sukkos so everyone is happy.
Maybe the hurricane will help them have it down before then 🙂
If he has until October 9th to remove it, he doesn’t have a problem. They’re making fool of themselves! As if they don’t know that sukkos last only a week!
Or they’re just being very nasty…?
The Jackson residents are actually very nice people. No one want to be chased out of their homes and neighborhoods, so there is some resistance there. I would not want my neighborhood to become overcrowded and city like either. We have to be respectful wherever we may choose to live and not fight the authorities there. In many places there may be ordinances restricting even temporary structures and that is something that will have to be worked out in a respectful way. Remember we are in golus, something we have forgotten here in Lakewood. We must be extremely thankful to Hashem and the Lakewood Township and people that they accommodate us here. There may be more to the story and it may smell of antisemitism, however lets understand and be extra careful not to cause a chillul Hashem or make more enemies.
Let them have fun till they lose our vote. Then they’ll come running back.
They always do.
Don’t live in Jackson.
HEY GUYS, CHILL OUT….
The guy was not issued a FINE only a notice, and the notice says he has until OCTOBER 9 to take down the sukkah. As far as I know, that is AFTER yom tov.
So what’s the big deal?
Probably someone who doesn’t “like” those “type” of people complained and to prevent a ruckus in the twp meeting they came up with this very smart way to take care of the idiot who complained about his “neighbor”.
G-d gave you sechel…. USE IT!
my mother gave me the same notice gotta b down Isru chag or else….
It’s awesome! They have until October 9th, like the 40’s & 50’s in NYC
so he has 10 days to take it down no biggie lol
I’m sorry Bart and Meirjeh, I thought this was America.
A petty town with petty fights against the inevitable, the frum people will move in in troves and they can’t stop this. Wait until he major networks and organizations pick up in these actions by the town.
question is if they would request approval, would they get it ?
I think it’s funny that the notice specifies a “Sukkah”
To those saying this is no big deal, and that he can take it down after succos. this wasn’t a warning, it was a notice of a violation that he can remedy by removing it by the deadline. This Succah was put up on private property in accordance with their religion.
It is absolutely illegal for Jackson to prohibit the building of a Succah on private property. this is a violation of 1st amendment rights. there is no ambiguity about it.
It is possible, although not clear, that they can require a permit, however they would in no way be able to deny the permit, if they were allowed to do so at all.
My guess is that Jackson is well aware of this, and are just trying to harass the Orthodox residence, which in itself would be a violation of the law.. the other possibility, which is more likely, is that this isn’t any town policy, but rather a rogue inspector
People remember were in galus embrace it dont fight it!
Why be threatening saying the frum will move in in droves and take over? All towns require permits doe structures built in yards, it’s to make sure people are safe in what they are building its nothing new. Maybe Lakewood didn’t have these laws?
If I was Governor Christie I would be over there tomorrow at the residence (or Sukkah) of this fellow in Jackson to condemn this overreach by some local agency that obviously has time on its hand and to voice his support of people being able to go out there and practice their religion without being harassed and threatened by anyone, much less the government. This will give the governor some great coverage.
There were multiple Frum residents on Galassi, Kevin, Linda and other streets that had the Coed Enforcement officer knock on their doors without a prior notice accusing them of doing work in their houses without permits, most of the residents opened their doors to the inspector to show that no work was done. I’m not going to say it’s anti semitism yet it’s black and white harassment. I would like to see if a Jackson resident ever received a violation for a nativity scene or a Xmass tree. There was or still is a street that cuts to Pawny and police constantly pull Frum people over for using the street as a thoroughfare, yet not a single gentile ever received a ticket for going through the street (yes it was proven, and the party involved decided not to pursue the case) the town is fighting a developments prior approvals for housing to prevent frum people from moving in, the zoning officials specifically told the land owner the reason is because the town doesn’t want the frum people to move in. I don’t think it’s anti frum people just they are scared to become another Lakewood and they will do everything in their power to prevent it. Don’t forget why Jackson high was built……hint westgate was going to purchase the land.
This (type of harassment) happens in lakewood too. There is a public works worker (moderated) that likes to make trouble for jews here in lakewood. If you need proof contact me through the scoop.
To Justwondering. In 1997 the US Supreme court held that a Sukkah was not protected as a practice of religion and found the ban of such structures on balcony of town homes in Queens NY and Hartford CT was constitutional.
Nothing new under the sun…. Keep moving into Jackson (Brick, Howell, Toms River, etc.) and soon have a voice.
To just wondering. First amendment freedom of religion is thru Tuesday. They were given reasonable time thru Friday to remove it, sorry I don’t see the violation.
I live in a Jewish development where a frum guy owns multiple rentals (more then 20)
If you don’t start taking down your Sukkah 3 -5 days after shukkahs. He files notice he will take leagel action, as you’ve been more then 15 days in violation of your contract.
Not a permanent structure so leave the family alone! This is America where we supposedly have the right n freedom to practice our religion. These people r not hurting n e one!!! IF n ONLY IF the structure becomes permanent then require permits.
I think his wife made that notice so that he should take it down before chanukah. Nobody in Jackson knows how to spell “Sukkah” lol
How can I reach this inspector dude called Constance Sidor? I would love to investigate his work history/connections and query his knowledge or lack thereof of the law? I’m also wondering which other Jackson officials were involved in ok’ing this citation..
I live in Jackson and find it a bit disturbing that the township is busy writing violation notices for sukkahs. I left a small bookcase at my curb for garbage and was issued a violation notice for having left “bulk trash” at the curb, which ended up being taken in under a week. Get used to it. We’re in golus.
I got the same notice last year. Had to take my Christmas tree and all the dcorations down by january (i also had to organize the garage) or else my wife would leave me.
Welcome to Jackson! The code enforcers pick on everyone equally here. Get used to it. It has nothing to do with Jewish or not jewish, the code enforcement department are (moderated) regardless of your race, religion, color, creed, etc.
You should be humbled that they now accept you as one of their own and give you the ‘locals’ treatment.
They would fine their own mother if she didn’t cut her grass enough.
“I would like to see if a Jackson resident ever received a violation for a nativity scene or a Xmass tree.”
I would bet they do, they enjoy harassing everyone. Be glad you don’t own a business in town.. you have no idea what harassment by the code enforcers is until you open up a business.. again,, jewish.. or not jewish.
Waiting for all the Christians to get fined for installing electric wiring without a permit.
See if that will blow. This is pure discrimination. And it would pass the burden shifting requirements to pursue.
I’m sure there is some federal agency that you can submit a claim.
Jackson would be too happy and won’t wrongly start up with a jew again.
i as a resident of jackson i plan on calling city every frum resident should call lets stand together for everyone
That really sounds like Jackson. I wonder if they let kids build clubhouses or tree houses over there. That town is full of angry people for some reason, they fight over everything. The people from jackson I have dealt with were poorly educated, uncultured, and not exactly opened minded. Not the type to like people who are different.
Bottom line is a permit is needed to build a structure. A law is a law and it doesn’t matter who you are you need to follow the laws. If you don’t like it get out of Jackson.
Why was the public works worker moderated? Her name is (moderated).
Moderator’s note: If you have an incident to report, with evidence to support the claim, please contact us at [email protected] Thank you.
I do think that since we now know the law it is our responsibility to follow it next year we should all apply to get the proper approvals permits….
#36 I would agree, except the law is that temporary structures such as sukkahs don’t need permits. The court case referenced by our friend Yussef involves whether a condo association can make rules against sukkahs. Thank you Donna Manning for your comment- I shouldn’t have stereotyped all Jacksonites based on the unfortunate experiences I have had with some of them, there are all types.
Pure harassment and overt Anti-Semitism. Say what you want, the motive is quite clear- they don’t want Orthodox Jews in their town.
Shame shame on Jackson. Let them have their holiday.
I’m a non jew grew up in jackson and now I work in lakewood..we should all live together in peace..what ? Are we a third world country now. Jackson officials you suck
Wake up we’re in Golus
I think we’re going about all this in the wrong way
I love Jackson
I think we approach the leaders in a respectful and civilized manner ( maybe even with some bagel Nosh?)
And if these guys are still hostile we’ll vote those ( moderated ) out
I agree, I went through the building codes on the Jackson township website and it seems that technically a permit may be required for a temporary structure… You attract more flies with honey…
We all know the fable of the boy who cried wolf. Is this so different? Look at how many are crying antisemitism and discrimination. All that is accomplished is to diminish the power of those claims when they are real.
Freedom of religion does not grant us the right to violate the law. The ruling I referenced was for home owners associations. Think about it. If a private community can make such rules, certainly a township can.
Let’s pick what’s important. Filing for a permit is required, then that’s what should be done.
Also, if you are moving into Jackson (or any town) familiarize yourself with the rules/laws. Laws have been put in place for good reason. Educate yourself before moving to another town. If the laws bother you don’t move into that town.
There is no reason to leave a Sukkah standing for longer than necessary. It is by nature a temporary structure, halachically as well. A jew does not build a permanent Sukkahs and for sure not in Chutz Laaretz.
It is very appalling and unconscionable! This is clearly a case of anti-Semitism! Why should I say Jews have to take something down by certain date regardless of whether the holiday is over or not? If a Christian has all these Christmas lights up I’m sure the zoning board will look the other way!