PHOTO: The trial for the Perth Amboy Shul which began this past Monday, will resume on Monday, May 7, Attorney Larry Loigman says. On Monday and Tuesday, the judge heard testimony from Rabbi Teitz, Josh Pruzansky and the two plaintiffs Herschel Chomsky and Allen Goldsmith. The legal team also started the testimony of Sidney Sewitch – a defendant – and Rabbi Ben Kelsen.
Yesterday, the defense had numerous conferences with the judge, in an attempt to settle the case.
“The defendants have clearly insisted that they want the synagogue closed”, Attorney Larry Loigman tells TLS. “They claim that their only interest is the perpetual maintenance of the cemeteries affiliated with the Shul. We have presented several proposals to guarantee that, and still keep the Shul open, perhaps as the home of a Yeshiva, but they have refused to consider them”, Loigman says.
Loigman adds, “Although Judge Ciuffani’s rulings earlier in the case were against us, he has shown a tremendous respect for Rabbi Teitz and the sincerity of our witnesses in their desire to revitalize the Jewish community of Perth Amboy. We are being allowed to introduce significant testimony about the defendants’ refusal to comply with the order of the beis din, which may be essential if an appeal is necessary.”
But those hoping to revive Perth Amboy’s Jewish community and keep the historic Shul, remain optimistic.
“I am cautiously optimistic that we will be able to persuade the judge that selling the synagogue is wrong, both under New Jersey law and Halacha.” TLS.
(Pictured L-R outside the courthouse: Allen Goldsmith, Attorney Ira Heller, Attorney Larry Loigman, Josh Pruzansky and Herschel Chomsky).
we as a Torah community must stand up and declare,that we will not allow anyone to tamper with the sanctity of a mikdash me’at.