Oyster Bay, Jews for Jesus reach deal in leaflet case

After four years, a battle between Jews for Jesus and Oyster Bay over the group's right to pass out leaflets in town parks will come to an end.

Both sides reached a settlement in late May that allows Jews for Jesus to continue to distribute its literature. The settlement, reached in federal court in Central Islip, awarded the group an undisclosed amount of financial damages from the town, according to attorneys for both sides.

Lawyers for the town and Jews for Jesus would not comment further on details of the settlement, citing a confidentiality agreement.

Jews for Jesus is a San Francisco-based group that seeks to convince Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.

In July 2006, several missionaries for the group went to John J. Burns Park in Massapequa to hand out leaflets. According to the group's complaint, police officers approached one missionary, Susan Mendelson, and ordered her to stop passing out literature.

She was escorted out of the park and was arrested one week later when she returned to pass out leaflets. Mendelson was charged with violating town code, which at the time barred any meetings, speeches or ceremonies in public parks except when approved by the town board.

Mendelson and Jews for Jesus first sued in 2007 and then again last year.

Since the litigation began, courts have twice ordered the town to change its code. The town first amended the code to require permits to pass out leaflets any time in a public park.

Now, the new ordinance requires permits for anyone who hands out leaflets at public gatherings of more than 20 people.

Under the terms of the settlement, Oyster Bay will get to keep the ordinance, town attorney Greg Giammalvo said.

Both sides cited cost and potential delays as reasons for the settlement.

An attorney for Jews for Jesus, Raymond Mariani, said the group likely would have required town officials and police officers to give sworn statements in court.

Giammalvo said the settlement preserved the town's right to regulate leafleting, including where they can stand at a public event and for how long. "If you take it to the finish line, you're rather confident you're going to win, but at what cost," he said.

Mendelson, reached at the group's Manhattan office, said she was pleased with the outcome. "We'll continue to stand up for the gospel and exercise our First Amendment rights," she said.