First Liberty Demands Irvine Drop $5,000 in Fines Against Rabbi Over Home Prayer Meetings
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 28
First Liberty Demands Irvine Drop $5,000 in Fines Against Rabbi Over Home Prayer Meetings
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 28
Summary
$5,000 in fines have been levied against Rabbi Rafi Dadon since August 2025, prompting First Liberty Institute to demand Irvine revoke the citations and halt enforcement.
A June 12 demand letter says the city repeatedly changed its rationale—from unpermitted "Church activities" to accessory-use, commercial-activity and place-of-worship claims—while Dadon's lawyers say the gatherings are private, invitation-only religious observances.
First Liberty argues the enforcement may violate the Free Exercise Clause, RLUIPA and the Fair Housing Act, and warned the city to preserve records ahead of possible litigation.
A similar dispute in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio, has already reached a Supreme Court petition, underscoring a broader fight over whether local zoning rules can be used against home-based Jewish prayer groups.