The testimony part of the trial for the Shaarey Tfiloh Shul has ended and the briefs (written arguments) are now being submitted to the judge, the Committee to Save Shaarey Tfiloh, and Attorney Larry Loigman say. After reading the briefs, the judge will be issuing his ruling.

Attorney Larry Loigman says the plaintiffs are also now filing a new lawsuit to stop the expenditure of Congregation Shaarey Tefiloh funds to pay for defendants’ attorney.

“So far, defendants have looted the synagogue accounts of more than $125,000, some of which has been taken from dedicated accounts for cemetery maintenance”, Loigman says. “Since the defendants were declared ineligible to hold office by the Beis Din of Elizabeth (Rabbi Teitz), we contend that they have no authority to spend the Congregation’s money.”

As for the trial, Loigman says, “The judge did allow us to present the evidence which we felt was important regarding the role of the beis din, but still insisted that he will not allow any religious considerations to influence his decision. So, we are still concerned that he may simply uphold the congregation’s vote to sell, even though we also presented several versions of the by-laws that would have made the vote invalid.

The committee to save Shaarey Tfiloh says they feel their case was well presented by Loigman.

“We believe we presented a strong legal argument based on the many illegal and unethical behaviors of the defendants in addition to our continued argument in court that even according to secular law, the case should still be heard in a Bais Din.”

The committee also thanks all for their continued support as the case makes its way through the court system.

(Donations can be mailed to “The Committee To Save Shaarey Tefiloh” POB 2042 Perth Amboy NJ 08862. Tax deductible donations can be made out to ” Tzedaka V’ Chesed Of Lakewood”). TLS.