Messianic shul to open in Bloomfield By Judie Jacobson BLOOMFIELD -- Congregation Shuvah Yisrael, a messianic synagogue previously located in Simsbury, has been granted a special permit by the Bloomfield Town Planning and Zoning Commission to set up shop in Wintonbury Mall. While messianics, who believe in Jesus as the messiah, call their houses of worship “synagogues,” each of the major branches of Judaism n Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Reconstructionist n have declared messianics, or Hebrew Christians, to be separate from the Jewish community. Approval of the congregation’s application on Nov. 29 came after a previous attempt to obtain a permit was defeated by a tie vote of 3-3 at the commission’s Sept. meeting. The congregation then filed an appeal with the Hartford Superior Court. After the Sept. meeting, a revision to the town charter increased the commission by one member, precluding future tie votes. The application was revisited at the commission’s Nov. meeting and was approved by a vote of 4-3. Following the vote, the congregation’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Paul Saal, announced intentions to withdraw the appeal. The congregation’s attorney, Lou George, suggested that the commission’s initial denial might represent a violation of the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which prohibits discrimination against houses of worship through land use regulations. Commission members who voted against approval, however, did not link their vote to unease over the group’s religious beliefs. Instead, they voiced concern that the presence of any house of worship at Wintonbury Mall would run counter to its intended use as a venue for businesses and commercial enterprises. Those who voted to approve the application n including all three of the commission’s Jewish members n felt that the application was impossible to deny given the federal law, as well as the town’s own regulations. The town center is considered a redevelopment area and subject to special rules under the zoning board. Those rules permit for a house of assembly or prayer to be located in the town center. The congregation’s case was supported by the mall owners, who are seeking to increase occupancy rates. Shuvah Yisrael is now moving ahead with plans to open a synagogue and cultural arts center in three storefronts. Comments! Email judiejacobson@jewishledger.com