Should You Need a Permit to Pray? Supreme Court to Review Northeast Ohio Case
The justices will review whether University Heights can require a special use permit for a home prayer gathering, after lower courts dismissed the lawsuit.
- On Tuesday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of Daniel Grand, an Orthodox Jewish man from University Heights, Ohio, who alleges city officials required him to obtain a special permit to host private prayer gatherings at his home.
- In January 2021, Grand invited a dozen friends to pray at his home on the Jewish Sabbath, as his religion requires him to pray three times daily with at least 10 men; city officials issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding he obtain a special use permit.
- Grand alleged that after withdrawing his permit application, city officials targeted him by having police patrol his house and prosecutors investigate him for alleged "housing code violations." "There is no place for a government between you and your Creator," Grand stated.
- Previous federal courts dismissed the lawsuit on procedural grounds, ruling it was not yet ripe for review; John Bursch, senior counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom representing Grand, said the Supreme Court's decision affirms that Americans have a right to host prayer gatherings at home without permits.
- Agudath Israel filed an amicus brief in April arguing the case raises significant questions under the First Amendment and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act with implications for religious Americans nationwide; the Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in the fall.
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11 Articles
US Supreme Court agrees to hear case of Ohio Jew forbidden from holding home minyan
"If local governments can shut them down with a cease-and-desist order before anyone can challenge them in court, every single one of those gatherings is at risk," said Alliance Defending Freedom.
Supreme Court to Hear Orthodox Jew’s Challenge Over Permit Required for Home Prayer Gathering
WASHINGTON (VINnews) — The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of an Orthodox Jewish man who alleges an Ohio city violated his constitutional rights by requiring him to obtain a permit before hosting a small prayer gathering in his home. Daniel Grand, an Orthodox Jew from University Heights, Ohio, sued the city […]
Agudath Israel Welcomes Supreme Court Decision to Hear Case Regarding Right to Religious Gatherings in the Home
Daniel Kaminetsky, General Counsel of Agudath Israel said, “A small prayer gathering in a private home is not merely a land-use issue. It is a core exercise of faith. Zoning laws and permit requirements should not be used to burden religious worship in the home.
Supreme Court Will Hear Catholic-Backed Jewish Religious Liberty Suit Involving 'Finality' Rule
Mark Van Scyoc U.S. Capitol viewed through the columns of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Daniel Grand is asking the high court to rule on his long-running lawsuit against the city of University Heights, Ohio.
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