Appeal In Sale of Historic African-American Synagogue Argued

Today's Wall Street Journal reports that oral arguments were heard earlier this month by a New York state appellate court in a challenge to the sale of a Harlem townhouse that for over 40 years was home to a historic Black Hebrew congregation. The New York City congregation, known as Commandment Keepers Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of Truth, is considered the oldest African-American synagogue in the United States. Most of its members traced their origins to ancient Israelites. In 2007, one faction of the congregation, claiming to represent the last nine members, sold the building to a developer for $1.625 million. Another faction that includes the grandson of the founding rabbi filed suit to recover the deed to the building, saying that it was not consulted. In a 2008 decision, a trial court judge refused to overturn the sale, even though he questioned whether it should have taken place. Last month, the developer who had purchased the building resold it for $1.85 million to writer Darryl Pinckney and British poet James Fenton.