Daniel Grand is a devout Orthodox Jew who invited around 12 friends to form a prayer group in his home. When the City of University Heights, Ohio, found out, it issued a cease-and-desist letter and falsely accused Mr. Grand of starting an "illegal synagogue" in his living room.
It got worse from there. City officials ordered police to spy on Mr. Grand’s home and encouraged neighbors to file complaints if anyone visited. The City issued legally unfounded property violations, unlawfully withheld Daniel’s Certificate of Occupancy and tax abatements (costing him thousands of dollars in additional taxes), regularly failed to pick up his trash, and engaged in a broader pattern of harassing conduct that went far beyond ordinary zoning enforcement.
In response, Daniel filed an application with the City for the required permits.
In March 2021, the city held a public hearing for Daniel’s permit, but after the hearing appeared to be rigged against him and after he realized that getting the permit would require him to move, Daniel withdrew his application.
In September 2022, Daniel filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, seeking for the City to be required to stop their war against him. The district court dismissed Daniel’s lawsuit in September 2024 because "he had not completed the permit process." The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit affirmed the dismissal in November 2025.
Daniel persevered. Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, in February 2026 Daniel petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review his case. Numerous religious lobbyist groups including Agudath Israel of America joined in support with Amicus Curiae briefs.
The Supreme Court today agreed to review the case!
The City had no reason to limit Daniel’s prayer meetings. Because Orthodox Jews are forbidden from driving on those days, there would be no traffic or parking issues. Yet the City prevented the prayer group from ever meeting at his home. But when Daniel sued, a federal court dismissed his case because he did not fully pursue a legally unnecessary permit that would have converted his home into a commercial place for worship, also forcing him and his family to move.
You don’t need a city permit to pray with your friends. Every American has the right to peacefully practice their faith in their own home - and to seek relief from federal courts when government officials interfere.
“Every American has the right to host a prayer gathering in his home, and he certainly doesn’t need a city permit to do so. When government officials forbid that, courts must hold those individuals accountable, immediately,” said ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch. “The city’s actions underscore a troubling trend of weaponizing zoning laws against people of faith while allowing other gatherings of the same size, like book clubs or poker nights, to meet without issue. We’re pleased the Supreme Court will hear this case.”
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