WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case Grand v. University Heights on June 30, 2026. The case involves a dispute over home-based religious gatherings and local zoning laws.

Daniel Grand, an Orthodox Jewish man residing in University Heights, Ohio, invited a minyan to his home in January 2021. To accommodate the gatherings, Grand added a 700-square-foot recreation room to his residence.

The city of University Heights issued a cease-and-desist order, prohibiting Grand from using his home for prayer. The city communicated that using his home for religious assembly violated local zoning laws. University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan publicly encouraged Grand's neighbors to monitor his home and report any indication of Jewish worship to authorities. Following this, a neighbor installed cameras pointed at Grand's house, and city police patrols near Grand's home became regular.

In 2022, federal courts dismissed Grand's challenge to the cease-and-desist order. The challenge was filed under the First Amendment and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The federal courts ruled that a claim of this nature could not be heard until the homeowner had applied for and been denied a special-use permit.

Grand petitioned the Supreme Court to hear his case in February 2026. The Alliance Defending Freedom became co-counsel for Grand, alongside Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. The petition received support from nine amicus briefs, including one from the National Jewish Advocacy Center.

The Alliance Defending Freedom stated, "Home-based religious gatherings are a vital part of how millions of Americans worship: weekly Bible studies, prayer groups, Shabbat minyanim, and fellowship meetings." The legal organization also commented on the implications if local governments could issue cease-and-desist orders without judicial challenge. "If local governments can shut them down with a cease-and-desist order before anyone can challenge them in court, every single one of those gatherings is at risk," the Alliance Defending Freedom said.