New Jersey Judge Dismisses Defamation Suit in Religious Divorce

A New Jersey Superior Court judge recently dismissed a defamation case involving a divorcing Jewish couple, citing First Amendment freedom of religion concerns, according to a recent article in Hamodia.

The case involved a man who was seeking a divorce under both New Jersey law and Jewish religious law. When summoned before a religious authorities, he ignored the demand and continued to attend services as usual, in violation of religious law. As a result, the authorities told the rest of the congregation to avoid contact with the man until he complied with the summons.

The divorcing plaintiff responded to this situation by filing a defamation suit in a New Jersey court, claiming that he had suffered personal and professional harm as a result of his rabbi’s instruction to fellow congregants not to associate with him.

In court, the rabbi and his attorney argued that the rabbi’s instructions to the congregation were protected by the First Amendment’s religious provisions, and that therefore the defamation suit was improper. The New Jersey Superior Court dismissed the case, stating that the court had no jurisdiction over the enforcement of religious rules within a religious congregation.

Divorces involve a number of difficult choices. When one or both spouses have deep religious convictions, the need to navigate matters of faith becomes an additional challenge. An experienced lawyer should be one member of a team you assemble to help you navigate divorce successfully. Your religious leader, therapist, and other professionals and authorities can provide guidance and support as you seek to change your circumstances.

If you’re facing divorce in New Jersey, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced attorney who can help you understand how state and federal laws may affect your divorce. Your lawyer can help you navigate the complex terrain of personal, financial, and religious obligations to build the future you want.