A suspect is in custody following an arson attack that severely damaged Beth Israel Congregation, the largest synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, early Saturday (January 10). The fire, which began shortly after 3 a.m., destroyed the synagogue’s library, including two Torahs, and caused extensive smoke damage throughout the building. No injuries were reported.
Authorities, including the Jackson Fire Department, the FBI, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, are investigating the incident. Surveillance footage showed a man wearing a hoodie and mask pouring liquid from a can inside the synagogue. The suspect, who was later found with burns at a local hospital, confessed to the crime.
Beth Israel Congregation, founded in 1860, has a history of facing threats, including a bombing by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967. Congregation President Zach Shemper expressed the community’s resilience, stating, “With support from our community, we will rebuild.” The synagogue has received offers of temporary worship space from local churches.
Jackson Mayor John Horhn condemned the act as one of antisemitism and religious hatred, emphasizing that such acts are attacks on the entire community. The FBI is considering hate crime charges.
The attack comes amid a rise in antisemitic incidents across the United States. The congregation is establishing a rebuilding fund to restore the synagogue, which has served as a spiritual home for over 160 years. Mississippi Public Broadcasting reported that the community remains determined to overcome this tragedy.
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