WASHINGTON, NJ – A coalition of Eastern Orthodox churches supported an Orthodox Jewish school’s right to choose its religious leaders at the Supreme Court of New Jersey today.
In the case of Hyman v. Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, the school dismissed a rabbi for alleged misconduct with students, sparking a legal battle over religious freedom. The rabbi sued for defamation after being accused of inappropriate behavior with young female students and dismissed. The school, dedicated to academic excellence and Orthodox Jewish traditions, had informed parents of the dismissal in a letter.
The legal team from Becket, representing Serbian, Russian, Romanian, and Antiochian Orthodox churches, emphasized the principle of non-interference by courts in religious organizations’ leadership decisions. Becket’s brief highlighted the case’s focus on religious freedom and the ministerial exception, which protects religious groups from government intrusion in selecting and disciplining their leaders.
Laura Wolk Slavis, Becket’s counsel, argued that the New Jersey courts should not intervene in matters of religious leadership, asserting that such freedom is a foundational American value. The legal argument presented aimed to safeguard faith-based organizations’ rights to make internal decisions, particularly those concerning the safety and wellbeing of children in their care.
The court’s decision on this significant case is anticipated later this year, with potential implications for religious freedom and the autonomy of faith-based institutions in New Jersey.