In Markel v. Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, (CD CA, Jan. 3, 2023), a California federal district court held that the "ministerial exception" doctrine bars claims rooted in the California Labor Code brought against a synagogue organization by a mashgiach (kosher food supervisor) formerly employed by it. The court found that the Orthodox Union meets the requirements for a religious organization and that Markel should be categorized as a "minister", saying in part:
[T]he OU designated Markel as a head mashgiach at the Delano winery, and he was tasked with overseeing the kosher production of wine. Although a mashgiach may not be a "minister in the usual sense of the term—[he] was not a pastor or deacon, did not lead a congregation, and did not regularly conduct religious services"—Markel's title and assigned duties as mashgiach satisfy the first Hosanna-Tabor factor.... As mashgiach, Markel was integral to the koshering of wine for use by Orthodox Jews and the greater Jewish community, and his efforts were necessary in fulfilling an important function of the Jewish faith.
Second, Markel's position "reflected a significant degree of religious training followed by a formal process of commissioning." ...
Third, Markel's duties as a head mashgiach reflected the religious mission of the OU and the importance of supervising the kosher production of wine for the Orthodox Jewish faith.
