Ocean Township, NJ – Opponents of a proposed yeshiva for college-age men at the Copper Gables office building at Deal and Poplar roads have hand-delivered a letter stating their case to many township homes.
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The letter details Yeshiva of Ocean’s pending application before the township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment and cites past violations, including summonses for litter, noise and failure to adhere to housing and zoning regulations.
“My concern is the use,” said Randi Lane resident Damian Sylvia, 47, who wrote the two-page document. “It’s not an approved use in Ocean Township — period.”
Sylvia said many residents opposed to the application have concerns ranging from the use, to its size and lack of accreditation.
“This is a safety concern,” Sylvia said. “You put 60 adult men with no background checks, no sex predator checks, no registration process together and you are going to tell me there won’t be a bad apple among them.”
Plans before the zoning board outline turning the office building into the religious study school and a home for its headmaster, Rabbi Meir Miller, his wife, and their 10 children.
“It will be a learning center where people worship and board,” said project attorney Jennifer Krimko. “It is a house of worship hybrid.”
The yeshiva got its start 10 years ago here but has since moved to Eatontown, with classes being held at the West Long Branch Synagogue on Monmouth Road and Cubera Court, Rabbi Miller said.
The Millers currently live on Whalepond Road in Eatontown in three houses partially occupied by its 30 students.
This new plan would double the student population.
It calls for a sanctuary/study hall/classroom hybrid on the first floor of the 10,000-square-foot office building. Also proposed are a small prayer room for the rabbi’s wife and female children, bathrooms, a dining area, kitchen with pantry, study, and living quarters for the rabbi and his family.
The second floor would house 10 dormitory rooms, a shower/bathroom area, and other living quarters for the family, including a master bedroom.
Students would stay three to three and a half years with a goal of becoming rabbis or continuing their education in Israel, Miller said.
“Specifically they are taking something not really suited to house 60 men and putting them in a residential area already overrun by traffic,” said Deal Road resident Carolyn Cleary Franco, 47, who lives diagonally across from the proposed site. “I don’t think the site or the grounds are large enough for that.”
Yeshiva of Ocean officials said they would comply with all guidelines and regulations as they look to expand to the two-story Copper Gables office building.
But Sylvia said he’s concerned that they haven’t been able to meet guidelines and regulations in the past. His letter to nearly 150 neighboring residents outlined violations issued by the township and Eatontown.
“He’s been served with hundreds of complaints,” Sylvia said. “The day he moved (into Ocean Township) he moved 11 adult men with him. The township wrote summonses for noise and litter because he turned it into a pig sty.”
A hearing on the application is scheduled to continue 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the public meeting room in Town Hall, 399 Monmouth Road.
This would be protected activity under federal law, RLUIPA, which prohibits land use regulations that place a substantial burden on the exercise of religion. Google RLUIPA. But it won’t be protected if RLUIPA is not invoked.
Its difficult to take the yeshivas side. I myself have been the victim of a similar situation. Thinking the rosh yeshiva would look after the boys and take care of his responsibility was a BIG mistake. The boys were free to do pretty much anything including MAZIK other peoples property. Speaking to the rosh did nothing. Either he can’t control them or he just doesn’t care. I won’t say all situations are the same but I’ve seen enough from those that run yeshivos so irresponsibly. Bachurim need a lot of space and true mentors.
Today it is different. I truly can imagine these issues happening and not being adressed. Those in chinuch that I have met are irresponsible and shirk anything that needs to be done.
When I was in the Mesifta of Long Beach in the 70’s I truly believe the bochrim were always a kiddush H. I remember rescuing a confused man that mush have wandered out of an old age home.
The Mesifta might have appeared disheveled to it’s neighbors but I do not remember any complaints.