East Hampton - Judge Reverses Himself In Synagogue Case

East Hampton - A judge who prohibited the congregation of a prestigious East Hampton synagogue from voting on whether to oust its board of trustees and renew the rabbi's contract as reported on VOS IZ NEIAS, has reversed himself and ruled that the vote could be held on Dec. 25. The judge, Justice Ralph F. Costello of State Supreme Court, is expected to decide next month whether the vote is valid under state law and the constitution of the synagogue, the Jewish Center of the Hamptons.
Allegations that Rabbi David J. Gelfand, left, plagiarized sermons and misused synagogue funds have sharply divided the 1,100-member congregation, which has supported the rabbi, and its trustees, who have said they would not renew his contract. The rabbi has denied wrongdoing.