photos by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Teaneck NJ, protesters gathered at the Teaneck Armory on the north end of town and marched about a mile to Congregation Keter Torah, where the My Home in Israel Real Estate company was giving out information on how to buy properties. The issue ,among those properties were some in West Bank settlements that U.S. policy has long considered illegal.
The protesters arrived at the synagogue shortly after 1:30 p.m. and were greeted by pro-Israel counter protesters . Teaneck police had done a great job of erecting barriers in the morning on all local roads surrounding the synagogue for at least half a mile and barred parking on many others from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dozens of local police and sheriff’s officers lined up outside the synagogue shortly after 11 a.m. Metal barriers were erected on both sides of Roemer Avenue as security guards stood at the entrance of the synagogue’s parking lot to examine bags. Security officers also opened trunks and checked under vehicles with a rolling mirror. Despite the heightened security the protest was not without a few comedic moments .
On Friday, Teaneck Township Manager Dean Kazinci said in a letter to residents that officials were preparing a plan that focused on “maintaining public order, safeguarding the rights of peaceful demonstrators and ensuring the protection of the synagogue and its visitors.”
Kazinci said he had received multiple requests to shut down the event because of allegations that it violates international law but that local officials have no power to cancel a private event that doesn’t violate local ordinances. Although Kazinci said the real estate company has held such sessions at Teaneck synagogues and elsewhere across the U.S. and Canada for years, the Israel-Hamas war has stoked tensions and heightened scrutiny of such presentations.
Representatives for Keter Torah said last week that the sessions were to discuss “tax and financial implications of buying real estate abroad” and that no sales would take place, but two Muslim civil rights organizations called on the New Jersey attorney general to investigate whether the event was discriminatory, saying it was marketed only to Jews. That drew a sharp rebuke from organizers, who said the accusation was inflammatory and admission was open to anyone.
Members of Keter Torah said last week that they stood by their decision to hold the event in their house of worship and some Jewish residents said they would attend just to show solidarity.
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… not so concerned about the invasion on our southern border though…