N. Y. Supreme Court Rules Jewish Meetings Can Be Held in Synagogue

The State Supreme Court upheld yesterday the contention of the Jewish Center of Garden City, Long Island, that it could not be denied the right to hold adult and youth group meetings in its synagogue. However, the court refused to remove a clause in the center’s permit from the town to use its premises for “religious purposes only.”

The center claimed that the clause would prohibit its holding men’s club and Girl Scout meetings, but the court said that such meetings were proper within the meaning of “religious purposes.” The court cited a ruling of the state’s highest court which, in the case of the Sands Point, L. I., Community Synagogue, recently held that “a church is more than merely an edifice affording people the opportunity to worship God. Churches have always developed social groups for adults and youths.”