BOCA RATON – An Orthodox Jewish family in Boca Raton has filed a $50 million federal civil-rights lawsuit, claiming the Boca Grove Property Owners Association unfairly suspended them over a social media video showing a Jewish ritual.
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Isaac Scharf invited influencer Jake Adams to the country club last December. A brief moment in Adams’ comedic golf video showed the two wrapping tefillin—a traditional prayer practice. Though the club initially reacted positively online, board members allegedly later deemed the religious act “offensive” and punished Scharf.
The 90-day suspension barred the family from using community amenities—including the pool, golf course, clubhouse, and even gate access. The punishment was later extended to Scharf’s wife and five children, including his 5- and 14-year-old sons.
“This wasn’t about enforcing a rule,” said attorney Jacob Roth. “It was about sending a message to Orthodox Jews that they’re not welcome.”
The lawsuit alleges broader hostility toward Orthodox residents, including obstructed access to a local synagogue and resistance to kosher dining services.
The Boca Grove board has not commented.
Sue them all.
go for it !
fines for bringing garbage bin to curb before shabbos for Saturday pickup
permit required to build a sukkah in your own backyard, not visible from street
built a sidewalk intentionally too narrow for a double stroller, then fine you for walking in the street
prohibit people from walking more than two across on the sidewalk
prohibit walking to shul along the paved paths on the perimeter of the golf course, one long time elderly resident was even confronted by security guards while cutting through his frum neighbor’s backyard (with permission). Golfers, of course, can walk or ride on the path.
Not everybody in Florida is welcoming to the orthodox jewish Exodus from New York.. Including some secular jews that have caused a lot of problems for the orthodox….
Another gilded golus.
The secular Jews running Boca Grove’s board have shown nothing but contempt and scorn for the frum yidden who have caused their home values to increase by 200-400% in 5 years. The $200K buy in every time a property turns over (not returned upon sale) is just money lining their pockets as they get kickbacks from preferred vendors while enacting rules that specifically discriminate against the observant community.
Examples:
-Fines issued if you bring your garbage bin to the curb before shabbos for Saturday pickup.
-Must file a permit to build a sukkah in your backyard (not visible from the street).
-Rules like no more than 2 ppl walking across the sidewalk at a time.
-Prohibiting pedestrians (unless you’re golfing of course, then you can ride or walk) from walking along paved paths on the perimeter of the golf course to walk to shul.
-Constructing a sidewalk intentionally too narrow for double strollers, then ticketing you for walking in the street.
Those buying in know exactly what they are getting into, yet the frum community keeps growing ♀️.
Regarding Boca Raton, Florida, I visited there a number of times. I found that pertaining to the weather, it was very humid and hot in Boca, and there were plenty of bugs, and other insects. The drivers were far worse than those in NYC, and there was plenty of traffic congestion. There was also racial tension there, especially from the Haitians who live there. The cops were not that intelligent, and some were just incompetent and dumb, especially those from the Palm Beach Sheriff’s office. Their medical facilities, including the West Boca Medical Center, was bad. I liked Publix as that grocery was very clean, the food was well presented, and there were a large amount of kosher products. There were also a number of fine kosher restaurants, and a number of kosher meat markets in the area. Last, there was the Festival Flea Market, nearby in Pompano Beach, which had some good bargains. As far as anti-semitism goes, I am not surprised. At a meeting of the homeowners association of a local condo, one resident complained that she saw anti-semitic graffiti written on the walls, of the condo, presumably by the maintenance staff. Last year, an elderly Jewish man was attacked by some lowlife white trash in Boca. He was attacked, because he was wearing a Kippah! The attacker was arrested, and I hope that he will serve a long time in jail
“the country club” — does it have a name? Is it the same as “Property Owners Association”? This article is incoherent.
I winter in South Florida. Boca is very welcoming toward Orthodox Jews, as is West Palm Beach, Boynton, etc.
I kind of doubt Nachum has spent much time there.
Live in the next town over in Coral Springs (Large Lubavitch community). Go to Boca often. Everyone is very nice and seem quite at home with Orthodox Jews.
They charge so much.
HOA administrators, just like their co-op and condo managers elsewhere are COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL and manage to run their respective dwellings like the gestapo…………….
Not sure why it dropped half my comment AGAIN but here are some examples:
fines for bringing garbage bin to curb before shabbos for Saturday pickup
permit required to build a sukkah in your own backyard, not visible from street
built a sidewalk intentionally too narrow for a double stroller, then fine you for walking in the street
prohibit people from walking more than two across on the sidewalk
prohibit walking to shul along the paved paths on the perimeter of the golf course, one long time elderly resident was even confronted by security guards while cutting through his frum neighbor’s backyard (with permission). Golfers, of course, can walk or ride on the path.
I had to work in Boca for a few years. Not my favorite place in Florida .. way to snobby for my Jewish blue collar self. Other then that it’s just an over priced city filled with obnoxious people of all faiths.
So why are Yidden flocking to Florida. What makes Yidden think Florida is different than NY or NJ. Yes, Trump lives in Florida. Do you think he will help you? Trust only in Hashem. As long as DeSantis is Governor of Florida, there is some law and order. However, there are many Leftists in Fla. a product of the educational system and many Muslims, who have spread throughout Republican states. Look at Texas. The Islamists purchased land and have architects and were building an Islamist City, until some smart Yidden took up the task to block it. There is no place to run, not in America, Canada, western Europe Australia. Right now the only for e we have are good lawyers and SUE, SUE, SUE THE PANTS OFF THEM.
Not sure why it dropped half my comment but here are some examples:
1 fines for bringing garbage bin to curb before shabbos for Saturday pickup
2 permit required to build a sukkah in your own backyard, not visible from street
3 built a sidewalk intentionally too narrow for a double stroller, then fine you for walking in the street
4 prohibit people from walking more than 2 across on the sidewalk
5 prohibit walking to shul along the paved paths on the perimeter of the golf course, one long time elderly resident was even confronted by security guards while cutting through his frum neighbor’s backyard (with permission). Golfers, of course, can walk or ride on the path.
Playing the religious card for dollars, sounds like a righteous act to me.
So, if you got a speeding ticket, that would also be discrimination. Makes sense.
Perhaps this is a signal for us to engage in some introspection about why we have a bad reputation so we can improve to the point where people either have no issue or even prefer us as neighbors.
The people on the board that gave him the penalty WERE frum Jews. They were pissed at him for making that video which made all the non-Jewish residents of the community uncomfortable. It also broke their HOA rules. The Sun Sentinel article doesn’t mention it. This lawsuit is a chillul Hashem.