ENCINO : Panel Rejects Use of Home as Synagogue

It’s not only a matter of keeping the faith, but also a matter of keeping the faith with one’s neighbors.

That was the message sent by a Los Angeles City Council committee Tuesday when it voted to deny an Orthodox Jewish group’s request to continue using a house near the corner of Ventura Boulevard and Lindley Avenue in Encino as its synagogue.

Addressing Fred Gaines, attorney for the Sephardic Jewish Center, Councilwoman Laura Chick, a member of the Planning and Land Use Committee, said: “You talked about the qualitative issues in having services in a home as compared to a commercial space. We need to be concerned about the the quality of life issues for the community as well.”

More than 60 people attended the committee meeting--about 50 Iranian Jews who worship at the home and a dozen or so homeowners who opposed the temple use.

Jews made emotional pleas to the committee, saying relocation of their services would impose a hardship on Orthodox Jews, who walk to synagogue.

In one of the most dramatic moments of the meeting, a woman in a walker approached the podium to address Chick and Councilman Hal Bernson, who represent the West Valley on the City Council. “This is a house of worship,” said Shajan Kasher through an interpreter, slightly lifting her walker for emphasis. “Please do not take it away from me.”

However, nearby residents complained that the home’s use as a temple is incompatible with a residential area, and that worshipers’ cars had blocked their driveways on many occasions. City officials said the Jewish group had operated the synagogue illegally in the home and had not--until very recently--been responsive to neighbors’ concerns.

By its action, the planning committee backed the Jan. 24 decision of a city zoning panel and the Nov. 3, 1994, decision of a zoning official to deny the permission sought by the Sephardic Jewish Center.

The full City Council still must rule on the center’s request.