Congregation at oldest US synagogue weighs options
Federal appeals panel rules the nation’s oldest Jewish congregation in New York owns the building and set of bells worth millions
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island congregants who worship at the nation's oldest synagogue are reviewing their legal options after a federal appeals panel ruled the nation's oldest Jewish congregation in New York owns the building and a set of ceremonial bells worth millions.
A three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Congregation Shearith Israel on Wednesday. It found that under terms of an agreement from 1903, the New York congregation owns Newport's Touro Synagogue, which was dedicated in 1763 and is a national historic site.
"We are disappointed with the panel's ruling and are reviewing our legal options going for- ward. We remain committed to preserving Touro Synagogue, the nation's oldest synagogue, as a place of public worship for Jews, and Jeshuat Israel, the congregation that has prayed there for over a century," Gary Naftalis, who represents the Newport congregation, said Thursday.
The congregation could ask the panel to reconsider, or request a review by the full appeals court or U.S. Supreme Court. The decision was written by retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter, who occasionally sits in on cases in the 1st Circuit.
Lou Solomon, who represents the New York congregation and heads its board of trustees, said he looks forward to sitting down with the Rhode Island congregation and moving forward cooperatively.
"Two Jewish congregations should not be fighting with each other. It's most unfortunate, so I'm glad it's behind us," he said.
Touro Synagogue holds an important place in the history of the nation's commitment to religious liberty. In 1790, George Washington visited Touro, then sent its congregants a letter saying the government of the United States "gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance."