I knew we weren't getting the 'Rest of the Story'. Here, for the benefit of all, are quotes from the Sentinel article:
Neighbors and enforcement-board investigators say members of the synagogue came by the dozens, parking on lawns and curbs and creating traffic jams.
Pittman said the case rose beyond the tolerable. “You can have friends over to watch Monday Night Football,” he said, referring to the analogy often repeated by Konikov and his supporters. “But if you have people coming over three or four times a week with lots of cars and traffic problems, and neighbors complain, then you have a problem.”
As a testament to how popular Konikov’s Tamarind Circle home had become, the county counted 373 vehicles and 510 people descending on the rabbi’s house for worship, study or fellowship during a period of 49 days.
“It’s not just small, occasional gatherings,” said Ted McDonald, who lives a few doors down from Konikov and is president of the Sand Lake Hills Homeowners Association. He said the rabbi sometimes hosts nearly a dozen meetings a week.
The rabbi never directly challenged neighbors’ accusations about parking and traffic. He and his attorney focused their comments on the larger constitutional question of freedom of religion.
Sorry, folks. What this rabbi needs to do is raise the funds for a synogogue. This has been going on for over a year. It's time for the rabbi to move his congregation to a more appropriate site.
The parish that I belong to (St. Ann Catholic Parish, Coppell, TX) started much the same way about 15 years ago. It started with a modest number of families, and has since grown to over 5,000 families. Last October, our new church was dedicated, and has a seating capacity of approximately 1500 worshipers. When we aren't early for the 10 AM or noon Mass on Sunday, it's SRO.
I only bring this up to buttress my point that I don't think this is an issue of freedom of religion. The rights of the residents to live in peace and quiet are also worthy of respect. How would you like it if numerous cars were parked in front of your house/street several days a week? I'm sure these are good people, but they really need to establish a more appropriate place of worship. The good rabbi might find that his flock would increase exponentially!
I guess I'll have to start calling you Tonto now!
Freegards.