The mezuzah is believed to provide physical and spiritual protection for the home. The paragraphs written on the parchment contain the essential declaration of Jewish faith–the Shema. It is appropriate to check the mezuzah scrolls on a regular basis to make sure that not even one letter has faded. It is also appropriate to look at the mezuzah and consider what it represents each and every time one walks into a room.

Since many people know that a Jew–and especially an Orthodox Jew–cannot live in a home without a mezuzah, the attempt to keep out “undesirable” Orthodox Jews can sometimes come in the form of prohibiting people from putting up mezuzahs on their doorposts. Yes, unfortunately, even in America in the year 2012, there are still places that are trying to exclude Jews.

A recent case in Stratford, Connecticut illustrates this point.

Barbara Cadranel, a Stanford Condominium owner, was given a gift of a mezuzah by her children. When she put up the mezuzah she was told by the condominium that she would be fined $50 a day for every day she left the mezuzah up. The condominium allowed for crucifixes, and Easter and Christmas decorations to be displayed in public places, but it was still forbidding Ms. Cadranel from displaying a mezuzah.

A first amendment expert, attorney Steve Lieberman of the DC law firm Rothwell, Figg, Ernst, and Manbeck told me the condominium was definitely wrong:

“The Federal courts have been very clear that the Fair Housing Acts prohibits condo associations and landlords from harassing or discriminating against tenants based on their religion. In the 2009 case of Bloch v. Frischholz, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit sitting en banc, explained that, in addition to prohibiting discrimination in the rental or sale process, the Fair Housing Act also applies to some types of discrimination that occurs, for example, after a tenant has moved in. In that case, the Court ruled that a tenant could proceed with her case against the condominium association after the association had forced the tenant to remove her mezuzah.”

After Ms. Cadranel’s attorney, Alyza Lewin of Washington D.C., contacted the condominium board, the attorney for the condominium obstinately continued to claim that Ms. Cadranel was violating condominium policy. The attorney for the condominium, Kurt Ahlberg even responded by sending a letter to Ms. Cadranel’s attorney asking for the attorney to “admonish” her and instruct her to remove her mezuzah. It was only after the condominium received an outpouring of international condemnation that Mr. Ahlberg backed off and apologized and permitted the mezuzah to stay up.

But we should not be satisfied with Ahlberg’s half-hearted apology and we should not allow the matter to rest.

All too often Jewish residents are intimidated into not putting up a mezuzah even though it is their right. One member of my congregation resides in a sorority on a major college campus. Her sorority has told her that she can’t place a mezuzah on the door that leads to the hallway even though not putting up the mezuzah is a violation of her religion. This is despite the fact that the campus is filled with Christian ornaments around the holidays.

Perhaps Federal legislation would help.

Here is what Alyza Lewin told me: “Texas, Florida and Illinois have passed laws to protect residents and to ensure that individuals may affix religious items, such as a mezuzah, to their door posts. As a result of Ms. Cadranel’s episode in Connecticut, the Connecticut legislature has introduced similar legislation. Rather than tackle the problem piecemeal, however, state by state, it would be preferable for the U.S. Congress to enact federal legislation that would protect residents in residences covered by federal housing laws who, out of a sincere religious belief, wish to affix a religious item (like a mezuzah) to their door post.”

Such Federal legislation was once proposed by Jerrold Nadler. In 2008 he introduced The Freedom of Religious Expression in the Home Act.

The summary of this act states that it: “Makes it unlawful to establish a rule or policy that prevents a person from displaying, on the basis of that person’s religious belief, a religious symbol, object, or sign on the door, doorpost, entrance, or otherwise on the exterior of that person’s dwelling, or that is visible from the exterior of that dwelling, unless the rule or policy is reasonable and is necessary to prevent significant damage to property, physical harm to persons, a public nuisance, or similar undue hardship.”

Unfortunately on September 17, 2008 it was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary where it has languished ever since. The condominium owners in Stratford have reminded us that this bill now needs to become a law.

From: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-shmuel-herzfeld/the-mezuzah-needs-federal_b_1472081.html

The Connecticut Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League will join State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney and Barbara Cadranel, a Stratford condominium owner who was prohibited from displaying a mezuzah on her doorpost, to announce legislation to protect residents’ rights to display mezuzahs and other religious symbols at a press conference on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.

The press conference will take place at ADL’s Connecticut Regional Office, at 1952 Whitney Ave., Hamden.

Cadranel had been ordered to remove a Jewish religious symbol affixed to her door frame. Last week, the condo association’s attorney issued an apology and said the mezuzah may stay.
“The mezuzah, of course, shall remain upon the doorpost, and no penalties or fees shall be assessed or levied upon Ms. Cadranel,” attorney Kurt M. Ahlberg, who represented the condo association, said. “In addition, henceforth, any resident may place a mezuzah or other religious symbol upon their doorpost without prior approval from the association board of directors.”

A mezuzah is a small piece of parchment inscribed with Hebrew verses that is placed in a small container and fixed to a doorframe as a sign of faith and in conformity with Jewish law.

The condo board initially insisted the religious symbol had to be removed or Cadranel would be charged a $50 fine each day, as it was violating condo bylaws.

Cadranel argued that other units had displayed crosses and other religious symbols on doors.

The story caused outrage from Cadranel and the Jewish community.

“We are very pleased that we were able to resolve this matter without having to resort to litigation,” Alyza D. Lewin, Cadranel’s attorney, said. “The outpouring of public support for Ms. Cadranel was extraordinary.

“The chorus of criticism of the condominium association and the expressions of support for our client not only provided Ms. Cadranel with much appreciated comfort but also brought about the dramatic turn of events we witnessed today.”

The Connecticut Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League supported Cadranel last week and urged the condo association to allow the mezuzah.

“A mezuzah is not a decorative choice for Jews, or a choice of any kind. Requiring its removal is tantamount to requiring a Jewish person to move,” ADL Regional Director Gary Jones said. “Thousands of condominium owners throughout Connecticut display mezuzahs on their doorposts without any issue.”

Ahlberg said the dispute arose out of a misunderstanding.

— Kate Czaplinski contributed to this story.

Sandblasted Silver Mezuzah Case on a Door

Board members at the California Condominiums had told Barbara Cadranel that she would be fined $50 per day for the mezuzah she had attached to the frame of her door. A mezuzah is a small prayer scroll in a clear plastic case. Jewish law commands that the symbol be affixed to a doorpost.

Last month, Cadranel was told she would have to take down the mezuzah, because it was on the doorpost, and not the door of her condo, which violated the condo association’s policy prohibiting decorations in common areas.Tuesday, Cadranel got word the mezuzah could stay. The Anti-Defamation League, which came to Cadranel’s defense, was happy with the decision.

“We are extremely pleased and grateful that this matter has been resolved, that the California Condo Association has recognized its inappropriate handling of this matter and, most importantly, that Ms. Cadranel will be permitted to exercise her religion by keeping her mezuzah hanging on her doorpost, as is required by Jewish law,” said Randi Pincus, Assistant Director at the Connecticut Anti-Defamation League.

A call to the attorney representing the condo association was not returned Tuesday evening.

By Bob Connors nbcconnecticut

The making of this Mezuzah case is routed in the philosophy of capturing the colors, atmosphere, personality, shapes, culture and traditions of Israel All materials used in the making of this Mezuzah case are strictly from local Israeli sources at it is therefore 100 % made in Israel. This Mezuzah is made with composition cast stone which serves as the base for inlays of copper or silver colored metal and colored stones. All the work is meticulously hand done, from mixing the original cast stone to inlaying each colored stone (some of the stones are no bigger than 1 mm!). Before any product makes it to the shelf, it is thoroughly examined to determine if the quality meets up to our high quality standards.

So where are you up to in your passover cleaning?

Did you know that many scribes first write a Megillah? The reason is that since G-ds name is not mentioned in the Megillah, it does not have the same level of sanctity as a Mezuzah, and can have mistakes or corrections made. In fact, it can also have vowels and punctuation too, but that is very uncommon.

Check out this video of a scribe hard at work!

The simple ceremony, applauded by several rabbis, members of the local Jewish community, Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., and other Miller School and UHealth-University of Miami Health System leaders, celebrated the January 25 grand opening of a special place created for members of the Jewish faith who visit relatives or friends admitted to the hospital.

Read On Here:

Did You Know?

A Mezuzah can last for many years when well protected, however, it does need to be inspected. Temperature and weather changes as well as age may cause the ink to fade and crack, thereby invalidating the Mezuzah. Each Mezuzah should be examined by a reliable scribe at least twice every seven years.

Outdoor Mezuzah’s should have a waterproof case, and extra attention should be given to any mezuzah that is on an external wall as well. Remember, a well protected mezuzah means a well protected home!

Blonder and fellow Much Shelist principal Anthony C. Valiulis represented residents Debra Gassman and Lynne Bloch, who first filed complaints of religious discrimination with city and state agencies and then worked with The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic to file a federal lawsuit against their condo association for removing the mezuzahs — small pieces of parchment inscribed with Torah verses and affixed to doorposts as a sign of faith. Blonder and Valiulis prepared the pro bono case for a jury trial, but settled on the courthouse steps in July. Now, the city protects the residential hanging of religious objects.

“Because of this case, the law was changed,” Blonder said. “It is clear now that residents in any condo association are free to hang a mezuzah. From our view, that was always the case, but now it’s the status quo.”

Blonder, chairman of his firm’s pro bono committee, said he recruited his fellow equity partner to help with the multiyear case, because they believed in the cause.

“Opportunities like this don’t come along every day, and when an opportunity presents itself to do pro bono work in an area of interest, people should grab it,” he said. “It’s fulfilling and reminds us that practicing law is a privilege.”

On behalf of Mezuzah Hangers everywhere – Thank You! Kol HaKavod!!

Oprah Visits Hassic Brooklyn

In Oprah’s next chapter on the Oprah Winfrey Network, the world reknowened TV personality shares her experience of visiting the close knit hassidic community in Brooklyn. In this interview, the celebrity talks about one of the things that she found most meaningful on her visit, the Mezuzah. Oprah’s visit to hassidic brooklyn, Oprah talks about the Mezuzah.