DOCUMENTS: Disabled Rabbi in Jackson retains attorney to fight Westlake Golf and Country Club

A disabled Rabbi in Jackson has retained counsel to take on Westlake Golf and Country Club who he says is not allowing him to live a normal life.

Rabbi Phillip Lefkowitz says he hired an attorney after they failed to accommodate his needs.

“I have attempted for a protracted period of time, in a cooperative and neighborly fashion, to receive reasonable accommodation from the Trustees of Westlake Golf and Country Club, a 55+ community, to allow me to build a Succah on my rear patio and, as other home owners, as a disabled individual, be able to fully utilize the community areas of Westlake to live a normal and fulfilling life,” Rabbi Lefkowitz said. “Every suggestion I have made has been rebuffed by the Trustees. They have left me no recourse but to retain counsel.”

See the complaint below.

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11 COMMENTS

  1. Further proof that dialog with the opposition doesn’t lead to a change. This Rabbi was an active interfaith participant. It obviously hasn’t helped him. He’s tried with the human rights commission of ocean county, and they too haven’t helped him. The only way with these people is suing.
    The same is true with Tom’s River and the TRJCC encouraging dialogue of legal action. It will not lead to the results you want.
    Where is the agudah and the ACLU? Why haven’t they taken up this case?

  2. Rabbi keep up the good fight…everyone in Westlake knows that you are right and the HOA as violated your rights….some are jews who hate you for the way you look

    • I agree with you. One question would be whether he was completely wheelchair bound when he purchased the home. If he wasn’t, perhaps he was relying on his ability to go to his children’s homes nearby without having mobility problems. If that’s not the case, I don’t think its right to move in knowing that you would have to compel the Home Owner’s Association to make special accommodations. It the development is otherwise ADA compliant, I don’t see why they would be required to do more than the law requires. On the other hand (there’s always another hand, isn’t there?), if he developed the disabilities after moving in, then it seems that the HOA should work with him and see if there are reasonable, inexpensive accommodations that can be made. We don’t have the layout of the community, the fence, gate or the surrounding area to be able to judge if leaving the gate presents a security problem.

  3. The Rabbi is allowed to live wherever he wants, this America
    His daughter lives right behind that door.
    It is the ultimate cruelty for them not to unlock the door and allow him to use it on Saturdays.
    I hope he wins and sues their pants off, the 4.99 masterlock that they could’ve opened is nothing compared to thebfew million that he will receive beh in both religious discrimination and handicapped .
    Shame shame shame on them !

Comments are closed.