Woman suing Sephardi community body for discrimination

A woman told by the Sephardi Beth Din that her Jewish status could not be confirmed is suing the Jewish religious court for discrimination.

The complainant was told that the Beth Din could not confirm her Jewish status based on the documentation she had provided, following a hearing last year. She then launched a civil claim against the S&P Sephardi Community.

“The Sephardi Beth Din is asked to review many cases of Jewish status during the course of a year,” said David Arden, chief executive of the S&P Sephardi Community, under whose auspices the Sephardi Beth Din operates.

“This claim follows a ruling in 2018 in which the Beth Din was unfortunately unable to confirm an individual’s Jewish status.

“We will not be making any further statements at this time until the matter has been determined by the appropriate court.”