Brighton, MA – Religious Stance of Temple at Center of Superior Court Lawsuit

Brighton, MA – A dispute over the religious direction of a Brighton temple has created a divide between its Conservative and Orthodox congregants.

At the heart of the battle for Temple Bnai Moshe, a Conservative institution that is home to 250 congregants, about 100 of whom are from the former Soviet Union, is a lawsuit questioning the validity of an election that has made its way before a Suffolk Superior Court judge.

the board of directors voted in December to provide the Orthodox minyan, Beis Minah, space to worship on Shabbat. While the minyan was expected to be at the synagogue for approximately six months, members of the minyan began to attend board meetings with proposals to transform the congregation into an Orthodox place of worship under the guidance of Rabbi Moshe Lieberman.

Irwin Frankel, who served as the president of Temple Bnai Moshe before the vote three months ago, and Joshua W. Katzen, who was appointed to the board of directors prior to the vote, allege that the notice of the election was “improper” and, therefore, are asking for a new election to be held, according to court documents.[jewishadvocate]