Congregation Jeshuat Israel v. Congregation Shearith Israel

SOUTER, Associate Justice.

This case began as an action for declaratory judgment brought by Congregation Jeshuat Israel (“CJI”), which was followed by counterclaims on behalf of the defendant, Congregation Shearith Israel (“CSI”). The district court held that CJI was owner of rimonim used in its worship in the Touro Synagogue and that CSI was owner of the building and real estate subject to a trust for CJI as representing the practitioners of Judaism in Newport, Rhode Island. We reverse on the basis of the parties’ own agreements determining property rights by instruments customarily…