A Jewish family in the Paris suburb of Villeneuve-la-Garenne has been instructed by their building’s management company to remove a mezuzah affixed to their apartment doorway.
In a formal letter, L’Ami Immobilier Conseil — an agency operating under the Century 21 brand — directed the family to take down the mezuzah and “restore the door frame to its original condition within fifteen days from receipt of this letter.”
According to the letter, the mezuzah had been installed on the exterior frame of the apartment door “without any authorization.” The agency argued that the exterior frame of landing doors constitutes a common area of the building and that any modification, “regardless of its nature,” requires prior approval from the general assembly of co-owners.
The notice cited Article 9 of the July 10, 1965 law governing French co-ownership properties, which requires residents to use common areas in a way that does not infringe on the rights of other co-owners or alter the building’s intended purpose or aesthetic appearance.
The letter further warned that if the family does not comply within the specified timeframe, the co-owners’ association could undertake restoration work at the “exclusive expense of the co-owner concerned,” and potentially pursue additional damages.
The agency said that the request was made “independently of any personal or religious consideration,” asserting that it was solely aimed at enforcing co-ownership rules and applicable regulations.
Following public reaction on social media, Century 21 France issued a statement saying its customer service department is reviewing the matter and has contacted the local agency to clarify the circumstances surrounding the letter.
“Century 21 France obviously does not endorse this type of letter, and even less any form of discrimination,” the company said, urging the public to await further explanation from the agency involved.
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Dearest Yeshiva World News, et al,
I did actually have an important announcement, Parshas Tetzaveh this Shabbes tomorrow night, Firtag Adar ‘ 5786. It seems I presented everyone with another letter before I mentioned Shabbes. That was very wrong of me. Shabbes comes first. But in great humility, I am to mention that it is my birthday Parshas. I know that it seems to mention me and my birthday is anti-humility. But, H”M has asked me to mention it because it is important to H-M that I not forget that aging one more year after last year is not a reason to be sad or melancholy. He knit me in my Dear Mother’s womb and so I am really thankful for H-M giving me the gift of L’ Chaim. Now, I will reply to the above second Mitzvah of first Shabbes and now of Mezuzah. Don’t give up or give into despair Yidden. Perhaps, I am suggesting this, only because it does happen quite often, I am sad to say, ‘was the Mezuzah checked recently for any errors?’ ‘was the Mezuzah installed with a proper Br-cha by a Male, not a female, unless it was impossible to obtain the services of a qualified Rabbi to do it for the family.’ ‘was it in a clear plastic or glass case or was it in a steel, wood, stone, or other case?’ ‘Was the parchment place right side up or otherwise, Chas V-Shol-m.’ and then there are so many other considerations along these same lines….Make certain, that you replace the missing Mezuzah right away for proper Spiritual Divine protection. I know that this is taking a risk. But H”M is testing us. All Yidden are being tested very heavily right now in our world order. Be brave and courageous. Stand up for H”M and replace the lost/missing Mezuzah even if you’ve been threatened. Olam Haba for those brave Neshami’s who defend the Mitzvah of Mezuzah in the face of severe persecution! I too had these considerations, and placed the Mezuzah on an inside doorpost! I was afraid that someone might try to harm the Mezuzah. I replaced the Mezuzah and put it on the proper outside doorpost and prayed very intensely that H”M must be feared and not authorities of a ‘pharaoh’ nature (please note, Pesach is coming up!!!! the month after Purim). So far the Mezuzah has remained untouched in its new location. I must face my fears of the goyim and replace it with fear of H”M, instead! Please, we must all practice this!
With Love of Shabbes each and every week after Erev Shabbes with the bench licht of the Shabbes Candles….Firtag Ly’la (eighteen minutes before sunset to one and all!). Remember to always do the Mitzvah of Shabbes and the Mitzvah of Mezuzah and so many other Mitzvah’s (613 Mitzvotim) that we are addressing in this letter to all of you right now,
Signed,
Rebbetzin Devorah