A man has been taken into custody following a fire that tore through Beth Israel Congregation early Saturday morning, inflicting widespread damage on the only synagogue in Mississippi’s capital. Officials confirmed the blaze was intentionally set and noted the sanctuary’s long history as a center of Jewish life in the region.
Early Morning Fire and Investigation
Fire crews responded shortly after 3 a.m. on January 10, encountering flames pouring from windows and locked doors. Investigators later determined the fire originated in the synagogue’s library before moving into office areas and toward the sanctuary, leaving smoke damage throughout the century-old building.
The suspect, who sustained minor burn injuries, was apprehended hours later and formally charged with arson. Authorities plan to transfer the individual to federal custody once released from a local hospital. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Jackson Fire Department are jointly examining the incident as a potential hate-motivated crime. Officials have not disclosed the suspect’s name or motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Historic Congregation Responds with Resolve
Beth Israel Congregation President Zach Shemper expressed relief that no congregants were harmed and affirmed that services will continue at temporary sites offered by nearby churches. “Our synagogue has been a fixture of Jewish life in Jackson for more than 160 years,” Shemper said in a written statement. “We will rebuild and remain strong.”
The congregation is no stranger to violence. In September 1967, members of the Ku Klux Klan bombed the building due to the synagogue’s support for the civil rights movement. The recent fire destroyed several Torah scrolls and damaged archival religious materials, according to Jewish advocacy groups.
Condemnation and Support from Community Leaders
City and national leaders denounced the attack. Jackson Mayor John Horhn called the incident “an assault on religious freedom and the values this city holds,” while the FBI’s Mississippi field office stressed the seriousness of hate-driven crimes and their impact on targeted communities.
The synagogue also received messages of solidarity from Jewish organizations across the country. Religious leaders from Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life congregation – where worshippers were killed in a 2018 antisemitic shooting – described the loss as “devastating” and underscored how such violence shatters a community’s sense of safety.
Incident Tied to Rise in Antisemitic Threats
The attack comes at a time when antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have reached record highs, according to data cited by civil rights organizations. Federal statistics continue to show American Jews face more religiously-motivated threats than any other faith group.
To assist with repairs, Beth Israel Congregation has launched a rebuilding fund and is accepting contributions from supporters as recovery efforts begin.
Dive into the unfolding story ‘Trump Ultimatum to Cuba as Washington Cuts Off Venezuelan Oil Support’ – a must-read update, so don’t miss reading this full blog.
