Jewish Theological Seminary Moves
to Evict 13 Families

by Jon Lilienthal

On Nov. 6, the Jewish Theological Seminary started court proceedings to evict the first 13 of 22 families living in buildings it owns at 515 and 521 West 122nd St.

In September 1995, the seminary began notifying these families that their leases would not be renewed. Throughout the past year, both tenants and elected officials have tried to negotiate a solution to both the seminary's and the tenants' housing needs that would not involve the forced dislocation of working families -- some of whom have lived in the buildings for nearly two decades -- and the destruction of a stable community in Morningside Heights.

The tenants have begun issuing press releases and organizing prayer vigils, which will take place every Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. outside the seminary, on the northeast corner of Broadway and West 122nd Street. "We hope that everyone who supports us will join us in praying for a just and harmonious outcome to this terrible situation," said tenant association co-chair Jocelyne Daniel.

Tenant association co-chair Vajra Kilgour called the seminary's statement expounding its case for the eviction notices "rife with inaccuracies." Tenants are distributing a response to the press and the seminary community. A letter written by Borough President Ruth Messinger to seminary chancellor Ismar Schorsch, detailing the attempts made by elected officials to negotiate a solution that would meet both tenants' and the seminary's needs, is consistent with the tenants' statement. "To say that the seminary administrators have lied like pirates is to risk cries of outrage from the pirates," Kilgour said.

For further information about the prayer vigils and future demonstrations, or for copies of the tenants' statement and Ruth Messinger's letter, call (212) 665-4183.