FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Medford, Mass.) February 6, 2026 — The Gevura Fund and the National Jewish Advocacy Center (NJAC) along with the law firm of Libby Hoopes Brooks & Mulvey. P.C. have filed a lawsuit challenging a City of Medford ordinance that unlawfully mandates divestment of public funds based on political and ideological criteria.
The lawsuit challenges Medford’s new “Values-Aligned Local Investments Ordinance,” which restricts the city from investing taxpayer funds in companies associated with arbitrary categories including fossil fuels, defense contracting, or alleged “human rights violations.” The ordinance applies to general city funds including pension-related assets.
According to the complaint, the ordinance is preempted by federal and state law, and conflicts with Massachusetts investment laws, which require city officials to prioritize liquidity and yield when managing public funds. The ordinance replaces objective financial standards with subjective criteria that open the door to political bias, mismanagement, and reduced returns —all at taxpayer expense.
As Rachel Sebbag, litigation counsel at NJAC and the Gevura Fund explained: “We know the movement to pass these legally defective divestment ordinances nationwide are motivated by anti-Jewish animus, but that’s not what this lawsuit is about. As a clear matter of constitutional law, these ordinances cannot stand. Rogue activist city councils must not be allowed to trample taxpayer rights.”
“The Gevura Fund was proud to step in when we saw Medford’s elected officials using vague language to mask what is essentially a BDS-style divestment policy,” said Tina Snider, president of the Gevura Fund. “The law is clear, municipal governments do not have the authority to use taxpayer funds for ideological boycotts, against Jews or anyone else.”
Professor Anat Alon-Beck, corporate counsel at NJAC, added, “Public fiduciary systems are deliberately structured to insulate beneficiary assets from precisely this kind of pressure—to prevent ideological capture, selective boycotts, and the politicization of investment decisions.” The complaint further argues the ordinance unlawfully interferes with federal foreign policy and violates state law governing municipal investments. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to block enforcement of the ordinance.
Douglas Brooks, managing partner at Libby Hoopes Brooks & Mulvey, P.C., stated, “We are proud to stand with these groups in confronting antisemitic discrimination and holding local officials accountable for unlawful government overreach.”
The case is Chertok et al. v. City of Medford et al., filed in the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
Contact:
Brigette Herbst, Executive Director, Gevura Fund
brigetteherbst@gevurafund.org
About the Gevura Fund
The Gevura Fund is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting research, legal advocacy, and educational initiatives that address antisemitism and promote accountability in public institutions. It works to equip parents, educators, and community leaders with resources and partnerships needed to ensure transparency, fair representation, and safe learning environments.
About the National Jewish Advocacy Center (NJAC)
The National Jewish Advocacy Center is a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of the legal system to advocate for and protect Jewish civil rights using creative, innovative strategies. NJAC prosecutes acts of hate; assists the community with legal representation; trains the next generation of civil rights advocates; and engages law makers, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
About Libby Hoopes Brooks & Mulvey. P.C.
Libby Hoopes Brooks & Mulvey is a boutique firm of experienced, aggressive and versatile advocates specializing in white collar criminal defense, internal corporate investigations, and complex civil and administrative litigation. Their clients include corporations, executives, and professionals in the financial services, legal, health care and other regulated industries.
Gevura Fund
Through independent research, outreach, and education, we connect with those experiencing religious discrimination in their workplace, equip them with the resources and information they need, and empower them to take action. We ensure that no one–regardless of creed, political affiliation, or more–faces religious discrimination at the hands of their employer alone. Their stories are our stories. Their voices are our voices.
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