(Courtesy of BCJAC) At the February 25 Teaneck town council meeting, community members made passionate appeals in support of the proposed protest ordinance, which aims to regulate the time, place and manner of demonstrations. The ordinance, modeled after a similar law in Hackensack, is designed to prevent targeted harassment of residents and religious institutions while upholding the right to peaceful assembly.

This ordinance is the response to calls for protection against intimidation from our community over the last year and a half. However instead of offering complete support, a subsection of community members promulgated misinformation and misunderstanding on social media in the days leading up to the meeting.

Opposition to the ordinance was largely driven by online calls to action from groups like American Muslims for Palestine and Cars for Palestine, which urged their followers to “Take action today to prevent this ordinance from being passed.” However, notably absent from the opposition were actual Teaneck residents. Instead, those who spoke against the ordinance primarily came from outside the township, including Wayne, East Brunswick and West Orange.

Yet, Teaneck residents, religious leaders and legal experts made it clear: This ordinance is necessary, constitutional, and long overdue.

Setting the Record Straight

Chana Shields, of the Bergen County Jewish Action Committee (BCJAC), addressed the council directly, exposing the misleading claims being spread online.

“For those who have been watching the seemingly well-coordinated attempt this week on social media and tonight here to sabotage this ordinance based on misinformation, I would like to clarify the misinformation you are hearing,” Shields stated.

She emphasized that the ordinance does not impact private gatherings such as backyard movie nights or casual running groups. “Larger activities were already included in an existing ordinance. What it will do is prevent harassment of minority groups and religious groups,” she explained.

Shields also addressed the fundamental question behind this debate. “When did we become a society that is only concerned with protecting the rights of the bully instead of the target?”

Her remarks underscored the need for this ordinance—not as a restriction on free speech, but as a safeguard against intimidation.

Urgency and Leadership

Rabbi Daniel Fridman reinforced the need for immediate action, reminding the council that Jewish residents in Teaneck have endured repeated harassment.

“The Jewish community has been harassed over and again, and this council lacks urgency with respect to this issue,” Rabbi Fridman stated. His words reflected the frustration of many who have witnessed protests outside their homes and places of worship, with little action taken to prevent them from happening again.

Legal and Historical Perspective

Attorney Elliott Berman, a longtime Teaneck resident, reminded the council that this is not a new issue. He first called on them to act almost a year ago after witnessing antisemitic protests outside synagogues in March and April 2024.

“I think you will all agree with me that something has to change,” Berman said, recalling his March 19, 2024, remarks to the council. “I said then that the United States Supreme Court has repeatedly stated that the government may impose time, place and manner restrictions on speech in a public forum. Residential neighborhoods and outside houses of worship are not the places for demonstrations.”

His frustration was evident as he pointed out that nearly a year had passed without action.

“So I came here to say—it’s a little late, but better late than never—and urge the council to unanimously advance this ordinance through a final vote as soon as possible.”

Berman’s words served as a stark reminder that while free speech must be protected, so must the safety and dignity of those who live in Teaneck.

Fear in Daily Life

For Yehudit Robinson, this is not just a political or legal issue—it is personal.

“Since October 7, I’ve experienced a level of fear here that I never had before—the fear of not knowing when outside agitators will come to Teaneck, not knowing how many will join, and not knowing whether their threats might translate to physical action,” Robinson said.

Her fear is not unfounded. Teaneck has seen a rise in targeted protests that leave Jewish residents questioning their safety.

“I’ve even had to ask my husband to consider covering his yarmulke with a baseball cap just to be safe,” Robinson admitted, highlighting how this ongoing harassment is affecting the daily lives of residents.

Her testimony illustrated what is at stake—not just the principles of free speech and protest, but the ability of Teaneck’s residents to live their lives without fear of being targeted.

Town Council Vote

Despite overwhelming support for the ordinance from residents and community leaders, the town council’s vote sent a mixed message. Instead of showing strong leadership, several council members failed to take a stand, and one directly voted against introducing an ordinance that would safeguard the Jewish community.

The vote to introduce the ordinance at a future town council meeting went as follows:

Yes:

Mayor Mark (Mendy) Schwartz

Deputy Mayor Elie Katz

Deputy Mayor Karen Orgen

Abstained:

Deputy Mayor Denise Belcher

Council Member Danielle Gee

Council Member Hillary Goldberg

No:

Council Member Michael Pagan

Time for Action

Opponents of the ordinance are not fighting for free speech—they are fighting to preserve their ability to harass communities based on their identity. As Shields powerfully stated:

“If they are allowed to continue, this puts every community at risk. It puts every minority group at risk. It puts you at risk.”

Teaneck has a responsibility to protect all its residents. The council must move swiftly to pass this ordinance, just as other jurisdictions have done without controversy. The electorate is watching, and failure to act will not be forgotten.

Now is the time for Teaneck’s leaders to stand up against harassment and intimidation and to ensure that all residents can live and worship in peace.

Call to Action

Residents who support this ordinance should make their voices heard. Contact the Teaneck town council at [email protected] and demand that they pass this essential protection for our community.