Greenfield Calls for Suspension of Alternate Side Parking Regs on Tisha B'Av

Councilman David Greenfield is working to include an upcoming Jewish Holiday to the city's list of days when alternate side parking regulations are suspended. 

Greenfield will introduce legislation at the July 24 Stated Council meeting to include Tisha B'Av, a Jewish holiday and 25-hour fast. The legislation will then be referred to a council committee for hearings.

During Tisha B’Av, observant Jews mourn the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem and other calamities that have befallen the Jewish people in exile. 

The holiday generally falls in July or August and is observed with a day of fasting, mourning and prayer. 

Those observing the holiday would be forced to move their vehicles while fasting in typically hot and uncomfortable temperatures, as the holiday often fails on one of the hottest days of the year. 

“I am introducing this legislation to make this simple accommodation on behalf of my constituents and religious Jews across the five boroughs," Greenfield said in a release. "Tisha B’Av is one of the most important dates on the Jewish calendar with much of the day dedicated to prayer at synagogue."

"Requiring observers to interrupt prayer services to move their vehicle while fasting on what is often one of the hottest days of the year represents a serious hardship for many," he continued. "I am hopeful that the Mayor and my colleagues will recognize this and add Tisha B’Av to the list of holidays on which alternate side parking is suspended.”

New York City currently suspends alternate side parking rules on 26 religious days of observance and all state and national holidays. Drivers would still be required to feed parking meters on Tisha B’Av under Greenfield’s proposal, but would no longer have to move their vehicle to accommodate street sweeping. 

"I am confident this common-sense legislation will have the support of my colleagues from around the city and will make life much easier for Jews as they observe Tisha B’Av in the coming years,” Greenfield said.