Supreme Court to Review Ohio City Order on Home Prayer Services

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal filed by an Orthodox Jewish man in Ohio after city officials ordered him to stop hosting prayer services in his residence. The order followed complaints about traffic and parking near the home during services. Local authorities determined the gatherings violated zoning rules that limit religious assemblies in residential areas.

The man had hosted regular prayer meetings for several years before the city issued the directive. He challenged the order in federal court, arguing it singled out religious activity. A lower court upheld the city’s action, finding the zoning rule applied equally to all groups. The appeals court affirmed that decision.