Arsonist Torches Mississippi’s Largest Synagogue, Holocaust Torah Survives Blaze
Mississippi’s largest synagogue, Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, was set on fire in a deliberate arson attack early Saturday morning — marking the second time in its history the temple has been targeted after a 1960s KKK bombing.
A suspect is now in custody, according to city officials, though their name has not yet been released. Jackson Mayor John Horhn is treating the incident as an act of terrorism.
“Acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole,” Horhn said. “Targeting people because of their faith, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation is morally wrong, un-American and completely incompatible with the values of this city.”
The fire erupted shortly after 3 a.m., gutting the library and administrative wing of the synagogue. At least two Torah scrolls were destroyed and five others were severely damaged, according to local reports. Miraculously, one Torah that survived the Holocaust — displayed in a glass case — remained unharmed in the inferno.
A plaque known as the “Tree of Life,” which records special occasions for members of the congregation, was also heavily damaged.
Despite the destruction, no injuries were reported.
“We have already had outreach from other houses of worship in the Jackson area and greatly appreciate their support in this very difficult time,” said congregation president Zach Shemper.
The Jackson Fire Department confirmed it was initially dispatched to what was believed to be a possible church fire. When the fire’s origin couldn’t be immediately determined, arson investigators were brought in. After a joint investigation by local police, the ATF, FBI, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, a suspect was arrested.
Officials have not yet formally classified the crime as hate-motivated.
At first, members of the synagogue believed lightning might have triggered the fire, as storms had passed through Mississippi overnight. However, no evidence supported that theory.
This isn’t the first time Beth Israel has been targeted. In 1967, members of the Ku Klux Klan bombed the synagogue during the height of the civil rights era. The building itself dates back to before the Civil War.
Mayor Horhn reflected on the painful history.
“I do remember that the Jewish community and the African American community in those days formed alliances and partnerships to fight racism, to fight injustice, to fight mistreatment of citizens for whatever reason,” he said.
The Anti-Defamation League reported over 9,000 antisemitic attacks in 2024 alone — the highest number ever recorded in a single year. That includes mass shootings, synagogue vandalism, and international incidents like the Bondi Beach terror attack just days before Christmas.
The investigation into Saturday’s synagogue fire is ongoing.