Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) wrote to Attorney General Todd Blanche and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport on Wednesday urging them to investigate alleged antisemitic zoning discrimination against Hasidic Jews by the city of Linden, N.J.

The letter highlights zoning changes allegedly enacted with what the letter says is the discriminatory goal of limiting the Hasidic community’s religious and family lives since the Hasidic community began settling in the city seven years ago.

“This situation merits an immediate and thorough investigation by both the Department of Justice and the State of New Jersey into possible violations of the U.S. Constitution, New Jersey State Constitution, as well as various federal and state anti-discrimination statutes,” Gottheimer said, adding that he had learned of the situation through public reporting and personal conversations with community members.

“The cumulative impact of restrictive ordinances — limiting religious assembly, housing, and essential facilities — combined with selective enforcement of municipal policies, appears to violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, as well as Article I, Section 3 of the New Jersey State Constitution,” Gottheimer continued.

He said that the city’s actions also potentially violated a slew of federal and state laws, and noted that the Department of Justice and New Jersey have opened other investigations into similar allegations of discrimination.

The letter highlights allegations that the city used zoning regulations in an attempt to effectively prevent the Hasidic community from constructing a synagogue — despite previously approving the construction of that synagogue, and using residential zoning laws to target large Hasidic families by limiting allowable living space and potential renovations to accommodate religious practices.

“The cumulative effect of the recent zoning changes has made it increasingly difficult — if not impossible — for the Hasidic community in Linden to fully observe their religion,” Gottheimer said. “Beyond housing and religious facilities, the City has reportedly engaged in targeted enforcement actions against community services essential to Hasidic life.”

Gottheimer said that city officials have also targeted trash services and school buses for the Hasidic community, attempted to prevent community members from attending relevant public meetings and illegally revoked a zoning permit for a kosher restaurant.

He also alleged that the city deliberately carried out a sweep of Hasidic-owned properties during Sukkot and on the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel last year, with evidence suggesting that targeted addresses were pulled from a Yiddish-language community publication.

Though Gottheimer’s letter does not mention the issue, the city’s mayor was also recorded in 2024 making antisemitic comments.

The letter comes ahead of Supreme Court arguments later this year in a case brought by an Orthodox Jewish man over alleged zoning discrimination by his home city in Ohio.