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Dear John,
Earlier this week, we celebrated the hope for the future of religious freedom. Because you and I fought and won four precedent-setting victories at the Supreme Court, we have the incredible opportunity to live out our faith like never before.
But as awesome as that is, we can’t take our focus off the here and now. There is still much to do to preserve our religious liberty.
Right now, there is a massive need for you and me to remain on the frontlines of this fight. The enemies of faith are blatantly spreading hate right out in the open.
Take a Stand Against Hate. Join the Fight for Faith.
Our $500,000 Challenge Grant Multiplies Your Impact.
To understand just how hateful people can be, you need only to look at the plight of Rabbi Naftaly Hertzel and his family.
For the past eight years, the Hertzels have been victims of illegal, discriminatory and antisemitic actions – some of the most hateful that I have seen.
I still find it hard to believe the lengths that the Loggers’ Run Homeowners Association in Boca Raton, Florida has gone to discriminate against this family.
You see, the Hertzels provide the only religious services for orthodox Jewish residents within a six-mile radius. They feel blessed to serve a large Jewish community through their limited-space Chabad Israeli Center.
It seems that the Hertzels went too far in 2015 when, like several nearby churches, they sought to acquire land from the HOA to build a synagogue.
Since learning of their desire to build a synagogue, the HOA has become increasingly hostile towards them.
From singling out the Hertzels for punishments… to preventing them from making renovations… to allowing and even encouraging others to treat them with hostility, the Loggers’ Run HOA is fostering an environment of hatred towards the Hertzels.
The question in all of this is why would they treat the Hertzels with such hate?
It’s because they are Jewish. There’s really no other reason.
When the Hertzels asked why they were being punished, they were told it was because the HOA President said he “doesn’t want Jews here” especially “religious Jews.”
When they tried to resolve their renovation issues, one HOA manager remarked “they should have ended them [the Jews]” during the Nazi time period.
And when they asked the then-HOA President about the possibility of a synagogue, he said that the Hertzels would “never” build one in Loggers’ Run. It would be “over his dead body.”
Put a Stop to Discrimination and Antisemitism.
Stand with the Hertzels.
For the past several years, the hate and discrimination has only gotten worse.
It has escalated to the point that the Hertzels fear for their safety in their home and their children are afraid to play outside.
So much so, the Hertzels requested and received a security grant from the Department of Homeland Security to protect their home.
No one should be forced to live in fear in their own home.
That’s why First Liberty has stepped in to fight with the Hertzels and for the orthodox Jewish community in Loggers’ Run.
This discrimination can’t be allowed to continue. It’s wrong and it’s illegal.
Together, you and I can set this hateful HOA straight.
Protect Religious Freedom for All Americans.
Deliver Hope for a Faith-Filled Tomorrow!
We won’t stand by when faith-based attacks like this take place. After all, an attack against one faith is an attack against all faiths.
But we can’t fight and win against this type of hate without your help.
Right now, there’s no better way for you to take a stand against hate than by supporting First Liberty financially.
Your support allows First Liberty to provide clients like the Hertzels with the best possible defense… without ever sending them a bill.
And when you give before midnight on June 30th, you have an opportunity to increase the impact of your gift thanks to our $500,000 Matching Grant.
Your best gift will protect religious freedom from discriminatory attacks and deliver hope for a brighter, more faith-filled tomorrow.
Together, we can make sure the Hertzels are once again free to live out their faith.
Yes, I will stand with the Hertzel family and make a gift today >>
Grateful for you,
Kelly
Kelly Shackelford, Esq.
President, CEO & Chief Counsel
First Liberty Institute
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