A group of Orthodox Jewish families have filed a federal lawsuit against a Hunter Lodge, Catskills hotel, alleging religious discrimination and wrongful eviction from the property on Shabbos last year. The families, who had planned a peaceful weekend retreat from July 14 to July 16, 2023,  are accusing the hotel management violated their civil rights and religious freedoms. In preparation for their weekend getaway, one of the Jewish women contacted the hotel on July 13, 2023, according to court documents. She spoke with the hotel manager, Jackie Gordon, to ensure the hotel could accommodate their religious needs. The now-plaintiff explained that the group, comprising 30 to 40 guests, including many children, were Shabbos-observant Jews from Lakewood and Toms River, New Jersey. This meant they could not use electronics, including keycard door locks, motion-activated faucets and toilets, radios, and telephones, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Encouraged by the manager’s assurances that the hotel could meet their requirements, the families booked a suite-style chalet and several standard rooms. The chalets, advertised as soundproof and isolated from the main hotel building, were expected to provide the necessary privacy and facilities for the group’s needs, including kosher food preparations and space for davening. The families arrived separately on the afternoon of Friday, July 14, checked in and settled into their rooms, anticipating a peaceful weekend. The evening started quietly, with Maariv followed by a Shabbos meal in the chalet. According to the lawsuit, the group maintained a respectful and calm demeanor the entire time. However, around 8:00 p.m., the manager approached the group, asking them to be quieter despite no indications of loud or disruptive behavior. On Shabbos morning, the families engaged in quiet activities, including davening at an offsite location and children playing cards in a sitting area. Despite the calm atmosphere, the manager repeatedly complained about noise and supervision, which the plaintiffs argue was unfounded and harassing. The situation escalated after the Shabbos day meal when the hotel suddenly demanded the entire group vacate the premises by 4:00 p.m., citing noise complaints. The plaintiffs assert that the hotel’s actions were baseless and discriminatory. When they sought to negotiate, explaining their inability to leave before sundown due to Shabbos, the hotel called the police. A significant police presence, including town officers, county deputies, and state troopers, arrived at the hotel. The lawsuit claims the officers, acting under the influence of the hotel management and with undue force, intimidated the families and threatened arrest. The police allegedly failed to protect the plaintiffs’ rights, instead assisting in their eviction. Unable to use vehicles or electronics, the families were forced to walk to a nearby property in the heat. Some parents and children, including those with special needs, were confined to a tourist trolley-bus, causing further distress and Shabbos violations. On Motzei Shabbos, the families returned to the hotel to pack their belongings – under police supervision. They were allowed only 20 minutes to gather their things, further adding to their distress. In a statement to the press following the incident, the hotel’s CEO, Peter Twachtman, claimed that the decision to evict the group was due to multiple complaints about noise and unsupervised children. However, the plaintiffs argue these claims are false and were used to justify discriminatory actions. The plaintiffs allege that the hotel’s […]