Monday, Dec 23rd

Double Standards for Parking Near Houses of Worship

noparkingScarsdale10583 received this letter from a reader
Dear Scarsdale10583: I have lived near Hitchcock Church for over 20 years where both sides of Walworth Avenue and Greenacres Avenue are often lined with cars on Sundays, weekdays and evenings. As the church has a very small parking lot, churchgoers, congregants and nursery school moms often fill both sides of the street, making it very difficult to pass. The street gets so crowded that only a single car can pass, often causing a back-up.

I am also a member of a local synagogue and note that on the two high holidays of the year, streets adjacent to the temples are lined with signs precluding synagogue attenders from parking. On some streets, where parking is permitted on all other days, parking is not permitted on either one or both sides of the block. It's frequently difficult to park to attend services, requiring a long walk to the temple.greenacresavenue

Why are church attendees permitted to park on both sides of the street, while Jewish congregants are not? Shouldn't the same standards apply for all houses of worship? Please explain.