Suffern, NY - Bikur Cholim Fight Shutdown Of Shabbas House

Suffern, NY - A coalition of Orthodox Jewish groups cited federal law in seeking to keep open a residence for Jews visiting sick relatives in the hospital.
The National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs filed a brief with the New York District Court in the case of Bikur Cholim vs. Village of Suffern, N.Y.

Suffern wants to shut down what has become known as the “Shabbas house” for zoning reasons. Orthodox Jews use the house as a residence while visiting relatives receiving treatment at the Good Samaritan Hospital across the street.

In the brief filed, the Jewish groups argued that closing the house would violate the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.