Hundreds Of Jewish Residents Protest Linden, NJ’s, Anti-Semitic Zoning Ban On Synagogues

By FrumNews.com 

Linden, NJ – Hundreds of Yidden, residents of the growing Chasidish Kehila of Linden, New Jersey, attended the city council meeting on Tuesday evening, to bring attention to discriminatory actions by Mayor Derek Armstead and the council targeting the Jewish community. Specifically deliberate actions changing zoning—to make it nearly impossible to legally build Shul’s in the city. Shortly after a large amount of Orthodox Jewish families moved into Linden, the city also changed the zoning to make it more difficult to build and expand large homes.

Last year, the Mayor was criticized after he was caught on tape making anti-Semitic claims against the city’s growing frum community, according to a law suit bright by Paul Oliveira, a former school official who alleged that the mayor, the school’s superintendent and school board president, engaged in an “anti-Semitic and illegal scheme.”

The suit alleged that Armstead “warned” that his community was “being taken over by guys with big hats and curls,” during a January meeting.

Oliveira also alleges retaliation from the trio for not taking part in the illegal behavior, he said that he was forced by the trio to use his sick days and other discrimination due to refusing to take part. The suit charges his treatment was a violation of the state’s Discrimination and Conscientious Employee Protection Act.

Linden, a New Jersey city just south of Elizabeth and west of Staten Island, has a growing and flourishing  Chasidish Kehilla. Over the past decade, it has become an alternative to the more expensive Jewish Brooklyn communities.

Agudah Israel Of America slammed the mayor’s use of derogatory remarks and actions. In a statement, they said: “Like all people of good conscience, we are appalled at the recent antisemitic comments made by Linden Mayor Derek Armstead. The growth of the Jewish community in Linden and surrounding areas should be celebrated and encouraged, not disparaged behind closed doors.

“Describing the Chasidic community by their choice of headdress and hairstyles is offensive, but most concerning was his apparent desire to discriminate against the Orthodox community in hiring decisions. The mayor swore to “impartially and justly perform all the duties of the office” and has a responsibility to all residents of Linden.

“The community has a right to know if the discriminatory policy he suggested was ever implemented in the school district or other local government entities. At a time when antisemitism in New Jersey is at a record high, civic leaders carry the responsibility to counter hate and antisemitism, not engage in it.”

Hundreds of Linden residents have shown up to tonight’s city council meeting to voice their objections to recent zoning changes which they allege target their community. pic.twitter.com/zNs4hKJZ7F

— Shlomo Schorr (@OneJerseySchorr) April 15, 2025