NY Synagogue Wins Property Tax Break for Torah Reader’s House

A Westchester County, N.Y., property owned by a synagogue to house its Torah reader and his family is tax-exempt because having him nearby served the congregation’s religious purpose, a state appeals court ruled.

Harrison Orthodox Minyan Inc. showed that the property was devoted to a use reasonably related to its major purpose of operating a synagogue because Torah reader was a full-time role that was integral to conducting Jewish worship, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, ruled Wednesday.

New York has long recognized that residential property used for housing an institution’s staff may be entitled to ...