Christian clergy in NY's oldest village support Chabad group when residents attempt to use zoning laws to prevent first synagogue in 350 years.

The town of Southampton, NY was founded when a group of settlers from New England seeking more religious freedom.It is the first English settlement in the state of New York. Seems these colonists wanted more religious freedom to worship as they saw fit than they were experiencing in their New England colony. So, they rowed across the bay to land at a place called Conscience Point. The original Presbyterian Church in the village was build by those folks. If one stands on the steps of Southampton's Village Hall, looking to the right down the block and across the street, it is easy to see the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton, a picture perfect New England type church with a clock tower. Last Thursday evening, I attended another zoning meeting at the Village Hall. About a year ago a handful of residents (if you count spouses) have launched a zoning suit to kick the Jewish Chabad house out of Southampton Village based on zoning issues, that have actually been waived for other churches and businesses in the Village.

The gist of it is that the Chabad House doesn't have the required lot size to merit the requirements for a religious house of prayer in the village.

Since the suit began Chabad has acquired a neighboring property. This increase in acreage still does not fully meet the zoning requirement. However, Chabad as filed for a variance, which could be granted if the synagogue meets the requirements for bringing greater good to the community by its presence and functions.

Even though the area is zoned residential, there is the huge Catholic Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Church campus just two smaller homes away from the small Chabad house.

The synagogue property is just on the outskirts of the business area for the village, about a block away from the movie theater, stores and restaurants. Directly across the street from the Chabad house is a large bed and breakfast type hotel. All of this is on a major residential thoroughfare, with much traffic in and out of the village 24/7, except very late at night in the winter and during heavy snow storms.

One of the residents who brought the suit against Chabad because the small group of Jews who regularly gather to pray of Saturday morning are a potential disturbance to the peace of the neighborhood. This resident happens to live next door to the Catholic Church, which seems not to disturb his peace even though there are buses bringing children to the daily nursery school, plus a Sunday school, it's a pick up and drop off for the local food pantry, and of course there are the many services.

The Chabad House is two doors down (on lots with less than an acre wide of frontage) from the huge Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary R.C. Catholic Church with many members, buses for a school, Sunday school, nursery, etc., and we've sat through interminable meetings about how the 30 something Jews who gather weekly are going to cause a parking and traffic problem! Especially, since many are orthodox and do not drive but walk to the synagogue.

Month after month, the people who have brought the lawsuit against having Chabad have voiced their concerns about their residential neighborhood, next to the large church complex at the edge of the business district on the major highway.

They have also voiced their concerns for the safety of the Jews praying based on the Rhode Island nightclub fire, as if a rock and roll band was going to burst into a Jewish prayer service and create a pyrotechnic display. Sure, it could happen. The chances are better that I would win the lottery, even though I don't buy tickets.

Here's my favorite “concern” for the safety of the Jews, expressed by the side seeking to oust Chabad. Even though Chabad was in process of making all changes required by the inspectors and fire marshal (since completed), there was a real worry that more should perhaps be done to insure the survival of the Jewish worshipers should terrorists fly a plane into the small five bedroom house of prayer. This is in the public record. The zoning board acted swiftly to dismiss the idea and keep the lawyer from continuing with this “concern.”

The reasoning behind the handful of people who have brought this lawsuit seems obvious.

I know some of the men on the zoning board and they are trying to be fair to both sides. The case has dragged on and on and taken a good deal of their time. The law allows for them to grant a variance from the zoning regulations if the greater good of the community is served by it. Then, of course, there is the issue of freedom of religion and freedom of assembly.

Still and all, a wonderful blessing has occurred thanks to the law suit. The ministers from the major churches in the village have attended meetings, and taken out an ad in the Southampton Press newspaper, showing that they are in favor of having the synagogue stay in the village. The clergy and churches standing for the Chabad synagogue include; Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary RC Church, First Presbyterian Church of Southampton, St. John's Episcopal Church, and the United Methodist Church of Southampton.

This last week, Reverend Peter Larsen, the Episcopalian priest spoke on behalf of Chabad, citing a article from the Southampton Press from over 100 years ago, describing how wonderfully, the then new Episcopalian church fit into the residential neighborhood it is in.

A few meetings before I was happy to see Rev. William Johnson, of the First Presbyterian Church sitting side by side with Southampton's Rabbi Rafe Konikov.

Also, members of the churches, local citizens have taken their time to show support and have spoken before the zoning board on behalf of Chabad and the good they bring to the community.

Therefore, it is my privilege to include every one of those churches is included in the line-up of non-profit organizations a collector can choose from for us to donate 10% of the purchase price towards, when a collector purchases UnGraven Image archival, limited edition, signed and numbered prints through the web site. Southampton 's local churches and Chabad are listed within the local group, while selected national organizations are listed in the other non-profit group.

Thursday's meeting was the final public meeting after almost a year. The lawyers have another month to add to the mountain of material the Village Zoning Board members have been given. Then in perhaps another month, a decision will be reached. Unfortunately, whatever the decision is, both sides have indicated an interest in seeking an appeal, should the decision be against them.

Amazingly, the law suit could end up as one of those landmark cases concerning our right to religious freedom as Americans. It seems sort of fitting, considering why and how the Village of Southampton was founded.

April 25, 2006