Mass. High Court Dismisses Age Discrimination Lawsuit Against Newton Temple

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has thrown out an age discrimination lawsuit against Temple Emanuel in Newton, a decision that could have widespread implications.

The court ruled Wednesday that the state could not weigh in on the issue because of the First Amendment, which calls for the separation of church and state.

In 2008, a former teacher at Temple Emanuel, Gaye Hilsenrath, filed a complaint with the
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination arguing she lost her part-time job because of age discrimination.

Massachusetts Lawyer's Weekly's managing editor David Frank joined WBUR's Morning Edition to talk about the ruling and what it could mean for other religious institutions in the state.