An ultra-Orthodox Jewish organization that last summer battled local officials over COVID-19 closures and restrictions is suing Schoharie County in federal court alleging they were targeted for their religious views.
The most immediate issue in the complaint centers on what the Oorah summer camps organization says was discrimination they faced last summer in how they were treated concerning pandemic protocols, versus other entities.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring ordered the closure of summer sleepaway camps across the state.
But Oorah, along with several other ultra-Orthodox groups, largely from New York City and New Jersey, were able to keep operating by declaring themselves to be temporary hotels or family residences that were operating religious retreats.
Oorah runs The Zones which has separate boys and girls camps a few miles from one another in Jefferson and Gilboa respectively.
Read more at Times Union.
{Matzav.com}
This is not to disagree with the merits of what Oorah is saying in the slightest. Even so let sleeping dogs lie. If Oorah loses the suit it will cause problems for every other camp that made this arrangement. Among other potential problems. If it was about next summer sue away but for last summer let the sleeping dogs lie.