Staten Island, NY – City officials are now paying closer attention to the separation of church and state when it comes to not-for-profit organizations, leading to the notable end of in prayer services at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center in Staten Island. NY1’s Amanda Farinacci filed the following report.
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The city reviewed three dozen not-for-profit organizations that receive city grants to make sure they’re following the rules, and that means closely obeying laws involving separation of church and state.
While they can teach about Jewish tradition and culture, prayers cannot be conducted in any of its programming.
At the same time, any religious group that wants to use the facility for religious programming can do so, as long as the space is made available on an open and equal basis.
“If a church or synagogue or mosque or any other organization wants to use the center for an activity, whether it be religious services, or whether it be recreational activities, they can use it at their behest,” says Sorkin.
Does this mean that a shul/bais medrash/yeshiva loses its 501C tax excemption charity status unless it opens itself up to prayer services and other functions of other religious or secular groups?
I think that this rule is for those that receive government money.
If the individuals wash and bentch out loud on their own is that ok?