Pomona, NY – Tartikov Town Dispute Back in Court

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    Michael Tauber, the developer behind the controversial project.  Michael Tauber, the developer behind the controversial project. (Mark Vergari)Pomona, NY – The dispute over a proposed rabbinical college returns to federal court Feb. 10.

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    U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Karas will hear arguments in regards to the village’s request to dismiss a lawsuit by Congregation Rabbinical College of Tartikov.

    Both sides submitted their written arguments a year ago. Nothing has since transpired.

    John Stepanovich, a Virginia Beach, Va., attorney representing the congregation, said the Feb. 10 session will give the judge an opportunity to question the litigants.

    “We expect a ruling to be made after the oral arguments,” Stepanovich said last week of the hearing scheduled in White Plains.

    In its lawsuit, the congregation has accused the village of prejudice against Hasidic Jews, and that its zoning discriminated against the Brooklyn-based congregation.

    From the village’s perspective, the congregation had not sought any land-use permits, so there were no adverse municipal decisions to contest.

    The village of about 3,000 people was upset two years ago by news that its population could be dwarfed by 1,000 or more students and their families living in six-story apartment buildings.

    Ultimately, some residents said, the religious community could gain control of the village in the voting booth.

    Paul Savad, a Nanuet attorney representing the congregation, said the intent was to build only enough for 250 students on what amounts to 130 acres off routes 202 and 306.

    “It’s not like all of a sudden 1,000 students are going to appear in the village of Pomona,” Savad said.

    He said the higher figures were initially used only for planning purposes showing the maximum build-out of the property.

    “But that was just for the environmental review,” Savad said. “All we’re asking for is that the village must consider our request for 250 students.”

    What could keep the village from considering the application is an ordinance that prohibits non-accredited educational facilities from building dormitories.

    Tartikov was unaccredited a year ago when the legal arguments were first presented to the federal court, and it remains unaccredited today.

    Savad said the possibility of accreditation was “thoroughly investigated” with both state and religious agencies, but Tartikov didn’t qualify because it had no certifiable academic program.
    Paul Savad, the lawyer for the Tartikov developers. (Mark Vergari)
    Tartikov’s purpose, as presented by its organizers, was to promote the study of Biblical laws to prepare students to preside over rabbinical courts.

    Village attorney Doris Ullman said she was unaware what the numbers of students would be because Tartikov never delivered a site plan.

    “I don’t know what they’re looking for,” Ullman said, “other than in my discussions with them they were looking for a study hall with high-rise housing.”

    As for the the accreditation issue, Ullman said Tartikov “has not applied to the village for relief from that requirement.”


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    13 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    i smell a rat with tartikov . why do they not want to be accredited?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    this is a big scam . Can anyone say low-cost housing.
    It a sad situation but this is the type of stuff that fuels hatred in Ramapo. Yeah, I know that some in Ramapo are despicable anti-Semites and will hate regardless, but here is a situation that just makes secular jews and other otherwise tolerant people just wonder.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    I’m a chussid in Ramapo and refuse to put up with this developement. They will claim tax exemptions and local social benefits all on our dime.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    Baloney! Stop the Affordable housing, let’s get back to normal life. They who developed land for the benefit of our community (Affordable housing) have congested our neighborhood and above all the “affordable” condominiums cost more than a single family house.

    Shaul in Monsey
    Shaul in Monsey
    15 years ago

    If they are claiming that the purpose is to create a rabbinical college to teach a ten year curriculum, then, yeah, its a scam.

    And if they are using their religion as an excuse to profit by hiding behind the Torah as a means to increasing profit, then they will never see good from a dollar they invested.

    Charlie Hall
    Charlie Hall
    15 years ago

    The issue of accreditation is a big one. You need a formal degree program and approval by the State of New York, a process that takes years. There may well be grounds to challenge this.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    go back to bklyn….

    robroy560
    robroy560
    15 years ago

    I’m happy the village is standing up. No, I’m not anti-Chassidim. I want all Jews to get along. We lost the 2nd Beit HaMikdash for hating each other.

    This story, if true, shows a backdoor way for the Tartikov to take over the village. They can litterally out vote the working people and transfer their wealth to them. Wealth transfer meaning those working, Jew or non-Jew, would be paying for this yeshiva to have 10-15 of ‘rabbinical’ education.

    I call this a taxpayer fleecing to support an family kollel project.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    If Michael Tauber wants to pull one of these non-profit schemes, that’s his perogative.

    My problem is – why drag the Jews into it ??? You need more anti-semitism?

    It would have been the same if you paraded around some Indian guru (I can get you a few to play the part) who wants to start his own Study Hall/Ashram.

    Same plans, Same Story – just not Jews — Indian Mysticism instead.

    Then get it passed, sell it to Chassidim and have your profits…

    What you will have saved is you would have PREVENTED A CHILUL HASHEM – and several years of anti-frum sentiment among the local populace.

    Michael, Paul – it’s not too late – do it NOW!!!

    Monsey'er
    Monsey'er
    15 years ago

    I know Michel Tauber well, this thing is 100% legit, pepole do not recognize that this Babad is a huge baal tzedukah, and his only intend is to be mechazik lomdei torah.

    Its a shame that in todays day in age, no one belives the good will of their fellow jew!