Woodbury, NY - Jewish Center Wants Caterer Accused Of Violating Kashrut Evicted

WOODBURY, N.Y. - Morrell Caterers, the Long Island company accused of violating Jewish law by preparing Kosher and non-Kosher food in the same kitchen, is now being given the boot by one of the synagogues it served.

state court ruled that the Woodbury Jewish Center has the right to evict Morrell for not paying occupancy fees, WCBS 880′s Sophia Hall reported.

“He was charging customers millions for events, but since January 2010 had not paid his occupancy costs,” Woodbury Jewish Center attorney Scott Mollen told Hall. “This is money that this congregation needs to operate its religious schools, its social programs.”

Attorney Ron Rosenberg, who represents Morrell Caterers, said his client does not owe the center any money, adding that his client has a contract until 2029 and is not going anywhere.

“In a typical lease, there is a provision that says that if you do something they can elect to terminate it sooner. There is no provision in this agreement,” Rosenberg told Hall.

Mollen said that there was no contract in this case, but instead a licensing agreement, which he said which can be terminated.

Morrell general manager Tom Cataldo and chef Micheal Savitsky sued owner Scott Morrell to stop the violation of Kashrut, which Morrell denied ever happened.

Morrell also operated at Temple Beth Torah in Melville and Temple Israel in Lawrence.