A historic synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, was badly damaged by an arson fire over the weekend, striking a blow to the small but resilient Jewish community in the city. The fire destroyed much of Beth Israel Congregation's library and administrative offices, evoking memories of past attacks, including a bombing by the Ku Klux Klan in the 1960s. Despite the devastation, the congregation's president expressed determination to rebuild, and local churches have offered their spaces for worship during the recovery. The synagogue, which serves as the center of Jewish life in Jackson and houses several key institutions, lost two Torah scrolls in the blaze, though a Holocaust-surviving Torah was spared. Authorities have a suspect in custody and are continuing their investigation.
image sourced from original article at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-15456811/Hub-Jewish-life-Mississippis-capital-city-damaged-arson-attack.htmlOriginal article source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-15456811/Hub-Jewish-life-Mississippis-capital-city-damaged-arson-attack.html
Source Id: 2026-01-948126590



