Image by iStock

The owners of a Jewish summer camp in New York have sued the Rockland County Health Department for discriminating against their business because they are ultra-Orthodox Jews, The Journal News reported.

The lawsuit, filed by camp owners Ephraim and Rivka Weissmandl, also includes a complaint accusing an agency inspector of making sexual comments toward her. They are seeking $25 million in relief and legal costs.

The county denied the allegations.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The lawsuit claims that the health department conducted random inspections on the boys camp run by the Congregation Rabbinical College of Tartikov, issuing violations that reached thousands of dollars.

The department typically inspects camps before the summer season, according to the Journal.

The couple said inspectors often threatened them with closure in a discriminatory manner.

The lawsuit also asserts that a county employee sexually harassed Rivka Weissmandl in 2011. Noted as “Andy,” he is said to have said, “if only she was younger and not married,” and asked her “such a good body after so many kids.” He also told her to “spin around for him” and asked for her phone number.

Ephraim and Rivka Weissmandl have been in the camp business since 1998, according to the Journal. They’ve run two camps in Rockland since 2003.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount