Film Screening to Address Religious Land Use

For residents of Rockland, one news issue seems perenially above the fold—religious land use, and how it clashes with local taxes and zoning law.

Now, residents have a chance to watch a documentary that spotlights just that.

Rivertown Film will be screening America's Holy War at on Wednesday, Feb. 29. The documentary examines the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) in effect across the Lower Hudson Valley.

The legislation was passed in 2000 to protect religious rights, but in turn "undermines every planning and environmental law on the books," the documentary notes.

The issue may hit home for residents of Ramapo, where the region's large Orthodox Jewish population has been at the center of legal and taxation tussles.

The filmmaker, Anne MacGregor, will be present for a discussion after the movie. She will be joined—via Skype—by Professor Patricia Salkin, a nationally recognized land use and zoning expert, and RLUIPA expert Steven Silverburg, Esq.  

South Nyack's Roger Seiler, zoning board member and Rivertown Film board chair, is set to moderate.

--

The details

• When: Wednesday, Feb 29, 8 p.m

• Where: The Nyack Center

• How much: $10 general admission; $8 for students, seniors and Rivertown Film members; $7 for student and senior Rivertown Film members

• Buy tickets: www.rivertownfilm.org; (800) 838.3006