Community Corner

Touro Synagogue Bells Dispute Grinds Ahead

After an attempt at mediation failed, U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell Jr. recently allowed the suit to proceed.

The dispute between the congregation at Touro Synagogue and a New York City group opposed to the sale of ceremonial bells from the Newport temple will apparently continue in U.S. District Court.

Judge John McConnell Jr. recently lifted a stay on the case, after mediation failed between Newport-based Congregation Jeshuat Israel and Congregation Shearith Israel, the Providence Journal reported.

At issue is whether the Newport synagogue can sell its rimonim, a set of bells used in Jewish ceremonies, to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for a reported $7.4 million.

Shearith Israel officials have claimed ownership over the synagogue and its property, and argued that the sale of the bells would violate Jewish law and custom, the Journal noted, while Touro representatives say the sale would help preserve the synagogue by providing needed funding.

A Jeshuat Israel attorney told the Journal that the museum's offer is "off the table," but could be revisited in the future.

A previous version of this article has been corrected to properly attribute the stance of each group.


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