Brooklyn Federal Judge Jack Weinstein issued an order today directing the Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide kosher food to Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of the Jewish Defense League, in whatever prison facility to which he is sent to serve a one-year term for violation of parole.
Weinstein originally ordered that Kahane receive kosher food when he was taken to the federal penitentiary at Allenwood, Pa. to serve his term, The judge permitted Kahane to stay at a halfway house in Manhattan, after the March 18 sentencing, so that he could observe Passover, Later, Kahane was allowed to remain at the halfway house and to leave each day after the protested he would not be able to get kosher food in the Allenwood facility. He has since left the halfway house for several hours daily to eat at kosher restaurants and to worship.
Weinstein’s order was challenged by U.S. Attorneys, who contended the judge had no authority to require kosher food for Jewish prisoners. Barry Slotnick, Kahane’s attorney, contended at hearings before Weinstein that Kahane was entitled to kosher food at any federal prison. The National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs filed a brief on Rabbi Kahane’s behalf and Dennis Rapps, COLPA executive director, also assisted Rabbi Kahane’s attorneys at the hearings, appearing on behalf of COLPA as amicus curiae.
U.S. Attorneys are expected to continue their fight against provision of kosher food for Kahane and for his transfer to the Allenwood facility to finish his term. Pending such federal action, Kahane is expected to remain at the halfway house.
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