DALLAS, TX, April 7, 2015—Yesterday, Liberty Institute filed an answer and counterclaim to the City of Dallas’s lawsuit against Congregation Toras Chaim, a small Orthodox Jewish community in Dallas. The City of Dallas is attempting to shut down the Jewish families’ right to freely exercise their religious beliefs by meeting in a private home for worship. Read Liberty Institute’s response to the City of Dallas’ lawsuit: https://www.libertyinstitute.
“This small Jewish congregation is being victimized by unreasonable regulation and litigation,” said Justin Butterfield, Liberty Institute Senior Counsel. “We are very optimistic that the courts will affirm that the city cannot restrict religious exercise without compelling reasons. The First Amendment of the Constitution gives ironclad protection to the free exercise of religion as every American’s first and highest right.”
Congregation Toras Chaim has peaceably met in private homes for worship for several years. They recently won a legal victory against the former president of a Dallas Homeowner’s Association (HOA) and the HOA. As Liberty Institute argued in court and the judge agreed, Texas and federal laws protect the group’s right to private worship, study and prayer. However, just weeks after the families won in the HOA case, the City of Dallas announced they were dragging the Congregation back into court. Liberty Institute continues to represent the Jewish families in this costly fight for the congregation’s survival in the City of Dallas.
Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated solely to defending religious liberty in the United States. Liberty Institute works to protect freedom of religious expression in America’s schools, houses of worship, military, and workplaces. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.
