I find it hard to believe that Avalon Bay Communities would offend all their jewish residents like that and the ADL would be banging down their doors, should they have people remove their mezuzah.

Previously Jake wrote:

Bongo, the point is it is a religious belief and symbol, it doesn't matter where it was written.

Trust me, I understand Judaism pretty well (HMOTT).

Jake

also, jake, I didn't realize that ABC was above the law of the constitution.

Previously Jennifer Keeney Sendrow wrote:

Jake, I am sure you are speaking from ignorance and not anti-Semitism here, but Bongo is rightly offended.  To compare an object that his or her faith requires - to a flag or a sticker is ridiculous. 

Furthermore, I have to say: What purpose is really served by banning a "Go Yankees!" sticker, let alone a functional item such as a doormat?  Maybe the argument for the latter is that people could trip on them or something, but the building has pretty wide hallways and, really, most people know how to watch where they're walking.

Does it lower your quality of life to see a sign indicating that your neighbor is pleased that the Giants won the Superbowl?  Are property values lowered because someone displays a pine wreath he was sent for Christmas?  How uptight can you get? 

I see no reason to censor what people on their doors.  Then again, I'm a New Yorker and not a resident of Stepford.

Previously bongo1480 wrote:

Don't tell me to settle down, Jake.  Once again you have misconstrued my message.  A jew doesn't just on a whim decide to post a mezuzah on a doorpost, nor do they think to themselves "gee, I feel like doorposts don't make enough of a statement, so I'm going to plaster it on my door in a more prominent location such as above the doorbell".  It is specifically written where a mezuzah is to be placed.  There are no if's, and's or but's to this rule.  How hard is that for you to understand?  If somewhere in the New Testament it said all Christians shall put a cross 3/4 of the way up on the actual door, I'd have no problem with someone doing so and I highly doubt that any leasing or condo community would put a ban in place on that.  And, for the record, I would agree with you on the fact that if someone randomly affixed a jewish star to their door that would go against the rules of the lease agreement.  I don't want you to think that I have a double standard here.

Previously Jake wrote:

Settle down bongo. One person's belief is not another and while freedom of religion is part of your rights in this country, when you sign the contract and lease terms you have to abide by those rules.

While I agree mezuzah is a small thing and on the door frame, the next person might not think the same. They might think a small Jewish star above the ringer, or crucified Christ is just a small thing as well. Going down that path, someone might thing putting up a small flag is just a small thing or a an emblem, etc, etc.

Hopefully you can see where this would lead, basically saying some religious ornaments are ok, where others are not. Not a road I would want to tread down.

Jake

FYI, actually most buildings in the 5 boroughs have similar rules. 

People are making much ado about nothing.  Feel free to keep them up, hardly any building enforces these rules.

I also think NYC fire codes don't allow anything like wreaths on the doors, but don't quote me on that.

It is all about perception, while you might not be offended by a Go Giants, sign, someone else might. While you might not be offended by religious symbols on doors, others might. While you might not be offended by political messages, others might.

That is why the house rules (at least ours in Citylights) are written for everyone, not just a few.

We live in a diverse city and neighborhood and that presents its own unique problems.

Jake

Getting back to the subject, its seems the rental market has went sour at Avalon Riverview North.  I notice that they raised the price a couple of weeks ago, but recently dropped the price and offering 2 months free rent.  Amazing how a couple of months changed the real estate market.