A historic synagogue in Mississippi that once survived a Ku Klux Klan bombing in 1967 was damaged overnight in what authorities have confirmed was an arson attack.
Mississippi Synagogue Is Oldest and Only Synagogue in Jackson
Fire crews responded to reports of a blaze at Beth Israel Congregation — Jackson’s oldest and only synagogue — around 3:10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11, according to Charles D. Felton Jr., chief of fire investigations for the Jackson Fire Department. When firefighters arrived, flames were visible through the building’s windows.
After extinguishing the fire, investigators launched an inquiry into its cause. Based on burn patterns and video surveillance, the fire was officially classified as incendiary, and a criminal arson case was opened. Felton confirmed that a suspect, whose name has not been released, was arrested in connection with the fire.
No firefighters were injured during the response. The suspect, however, sustained non-life-threatening burns and was taken into custody at a hospital. The synagogue was closed at the time of the fire.
Beth Israel Congregation President Zach Shemper said the community is still assessing the extent of the damage but remains determined to move forward.
“As Jackson’s only synagogue, Beth Israel is a beloved institution, and it is the fellowship of our neighbors and extended community that will see us through,” Shemper said in a statement. “We are still assessing the damage to the building, but we will continue our worship services and other programs, with locations to be determined.”
Photos Released Show Severe Damage
Photographs released after the fire showed severe damage to the synagogue’s library and administrative offices. According to Mississippi Today, two Torah scrolls were destroyed and five others were damaged. One Torah that survived the Holocaust was preserved in a glass case and was not harmed.
“We are a resilient people,” Shemper said. “With the support of our community, we will rebuild.” He also announced the creation of the Beth Israel Rebuilding Fund to assist with repair and restoration efforts.
Jackson Mayor John Horhn confirmed that the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force are all involved in the investigation. The FBI stated it is working closely with local law enforcement partners.
The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, which is based at Beth Israel and serves Jewish communities across the South, said it was grateful that no one was injured. The organization noted that staff will not be working in the building for the time being and thanked first responders and community members for their support.
National Leaders Condemn the Attack
Local and national leaders condemned the attack and called for unity against religious hatred.
“Acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole,” Mayor Horhn said in a statement. “Targeting people because of their faith, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation is morally wrong, un-American, and incompatible with the values of this city.”
The American Jewish Committee said it was outraged by the attack, warning that antisemitic violence must be confronted directly and without hesitation. The organization described the fire as part of a broader rise in antisemitism affecting Jewish communities nationwide.
Founded in 1860, Beth Israel Congregation is Mississippi’s largest synagogue and has a long history of civil rights advocacy. In September 1967, the temple was bombed by Ku Klux Klan members. Two months later, the home of Rabbi Perry Nussbaum — a vocal supporter of integration — was also bombed. Neither he nor his wife was injured.
The synagogue has noted that those attacks helped galvanize Jackson’s white community against violent resistance to integration and strengthened local efforts toward racial justice.
Shemper said several local churches have already offered their buildings as temporary worship spaces while Beth Israel works toward rebuilding.
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