Mediation In Litigation Over Sale Of Historic Torah Ornaments Breaks Down

AP reported last week that mediation has failed in the lawsuits between Newport, Rhode Island's historic Touro Synagogue and New York City's Congregation Shearith Israel that claims that it owns Touro. (See prior posting.) The dispute began with a decision in 2010 by Touro Synagogue to sell its valuable colonial Torah ornaments (now on loan to the Boston Mueum of Fine Arts) in order to endow future maintenance and clergy salaries. Shearith Israel opposes the sale. Touro Synagogue is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year.