Authorities in Mississippi have arrested a suspect following a devastating arson attack on a historic synagogue in Jackson over the weekend. The blaze caused significant damage to the Beth Israel Congregation, with multiple sacred Torah scrolls destroyed.
Fire Breaks Out in Early Hours
The fire was reported at the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson shortly after 3am on Saturday, 2 November. Emergency services responded swiftly, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, images from the scene showed extensive damage, particularly to an administrative office and the synagogue's library.
Jackson Mayor, John Horhn, confirmed a suspect was taken into custody after an investigation involving the FBI and the joint terrorism taskforce. In a strong statement, Mayor Horhn said acts of antisemitism and religious hatred are attacks on the entire city and would be treated as terror against residents' safety and freedom to worship.
Sacred Texts Damaged in Deliberate Attack
The fire's impact on the synagogue's sacred objects has been profound. Initial assessments confirm that multiple Torah scrolls were either destroyed or damaged by the flames. Michele Schipper, CEO of the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, provided a heartbreaking inventory.
One Torah that survived the Holocaust, protected behind glass, was mercifully spared. Five Torahs kept in the main sanctuary are being checked for smoke damage. Tragically, two Torahs housed in the library, the area most severely affected, were lost entirely.
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, condemned the act, stating it was not random vandalism but a deliberate, targeted attack on the Jewish community.
A Resilient Community Pledges to Rebuild
Despite the devastation, the congregation's leadership has expressed a firm commitment to restoration. Soot coated the sanctuary's interior, and carpeting and furnishings will need replacing, but the spirit of the community remains unbroken.
"We are devastated but ready to rebuild, and we are so appreciative of the outreach from the community," said Michele Schipper, a former president of the congregation. Messages of support have also poured in from other faith communities.
This is not the first time Beth Israel Congregation, Mississippi's largest synagogue, has been targeted. In 1967, it was damaged in a Ku Klux Klan bombing linked to the congregation's involvement in the civil rights movement. The Jewish Federations of North America echoed the community's resilience, stating they are "horrified and angered" but will not be intimidated, vowing to continue working for safety and religious freedom.
