A not-for-profit organization at Kiryas Joel has filed a lawsuit in federal court in White Plains alleging that because its leaders are associated with B�Nai Joel, the long-time dissident group, the village has over-charged it significantly for sanitation services, which it has not received and resulted in the loss of over $20,000.

Representatives of Keren Chasanim, Corp. also charge in their lawsuit that despite 1997 orders requiring the village to designate representatives to a community board, established to mediate differences between dissidents and the village, the village has refused to cooperate and has rendered the board totally ineffectual.

�I had hoped the peace and good will would prevail in Kiryas Joel and all sides could participate in the broader life of our community,� said Keren Chasanim�s attorney, Michael Sussman. �I am deeply distressed that the village leadership appears to be up to its old tricks � discriminating against those they associate with B�Nai Joel.�

MHN