Arson suspect arrested after blaze at historic Mississippi synagogue | Mississippi
A suspect was taken into custody after a historic synagogue in Mississippi was heavily damaged by a fire Sunday that authorities described as arson.
The fire broke out at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday morning, according to authorities. No one was injured in the fire.
Images taken from the scene revealed blackened debris in the administrative office and the synagogue’s library; here many Torah scrolls were either destroyed or damaged. Members and leaders of the synagogue have vowed to restore the building.
Jackson Mayor John Horhn said a suspect was taken into custody after an investigation involving the FBI and a joint terrorism task force.
“Acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred are collectively attacks on Jackson and will be considered acts of terrorism against the safety of residents and their freedom of worship,” Horhn said. a statement. He did not identify the suspect or say what charges might be filed.
Congregation Beth Israel is the largest synagogue in Mississippi and the only synagogue located in Jackson. It had previously been targeted in the 1967 Ku Klux Klan bombing in connection with the congregation’s involvement in civil rights efforts. website.
“We are grateful that no one was injured, but this was not random vandalism; it was a deliberate, targeted attack on the Jewish community,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League. in a statement.
Michele Schipper, CEO of the Institute for Southern Jewish Life and a former president of the congregation, said: Associated Press It was stated that the synagogue is still assessing the extent of the damage and has received messages of support from other faith communities.
A Holocaust survivor’s Torah was protected behind glass and was not damaged by the fire, Schipper said. While the 5 Torahs stored in the harem were checked to see if they were damaged by smoke, the 2 Torahs in the library that suffered the most damage were destroyed.
The floor, walls and ceiling of the sanctuary are covered in soot, and the synagogue’s carpets and upholstered furniture will need to be replaced.
“We are devastated but ready to rebuild and are so grateful for the help from the community,” Schipper said.
Jewish Federations of North America published a statement He described the incident as an arson attack and said the organization was “horrified and outraged by the arson attack against the Jewish community in Mississippi.”
“The Jewish community is resilient and will not be intimidated. We will continue to work with law enforcement and elected officials to ensure we can live our lives safely and Jewishly,” the organization added.
