Officials are speaking out following a fire that was set at Mississippi’s oldest synagogue.
Early Saturday morning, a blaze broke out at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, a Jewish place of worship that has existed in the state’s capital city for more than 160 years. The fire was reportedly an act of arson, and a suspect was apprehended by law enforcement, though the individual’s identity has not been released at this time.
The synagogue’s administrative office and library were charred as a result of the blaze. Two Torahs inside the library were destroyed. Five Torahs inside the place of worship’s sanctuary are being examined for smoke damage. One Torah that survived the Holocaust was behind glass and not damaged in the fire. Other damages to the facility included the floors, walls, and ceiling of the sanctuary being covered in soot. No congregants were injured.
No stranger to attacks and threats, the synagogue was the site of a Ku Klux Klan bombing in 1967 due to its role in the Civil Rights Movement. In December 2023, Beth Israel was one of hundreds of synagogues across the U.S. to be subject to bomb threats, elevating concerns of a growing sentiment of antisemitism across the nation.
“We are a resilient people,” Beth Israel Congregation President Zach Shemper stated. “With support from our community, we will rebuild.”
Here’s how elected officials, religious leaders, and advocacy groups are responding to the fire that shook Mississippi’s oldest Jewish house of worship.
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker
Our hearts are with the members of Beth Israel Congregation. We stand together with them as do all the caring people of Mississippi. We denounce violence and find attacks on places of worship especially despicable.
“Comfort Ye my people, saith your God.” Isaiah 40:1
Gayle and…
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) January 11, 2026
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith
I lift up Beth Israel Congregation in prayer, and all those affected by this senseless crime. Violence against places of worship is reprehensible. My heart is with the Jewish community in Mississippi and Jewish people around the world.
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) January 11, 2026
Attorney General Lynn Fitch
The men and women of the Attorney General’s Office stand ready to assist the Jackson Police and the FBI in seeking justice for the Beth Israel congregation. This cowardly act not only destroyed sacred property, it violated the sense of safety amongst Mississippi’s Jewish…
— Lynn Fitch (@LynnFitchAG) January 11, 2026
State Treasurer David McRae
This weekend, Beth Israel, the largest synagogue in our state, was torched. Antisemitism is running rampant in our country, and we need to put an end to it now. Religious liberty is essential to our nation’s foundation. We must protect it for generations to come.
— Treasurer David McRae (@DavidMcRaeMS) January 11, 2026
Jackson Mayor John Horhn
Horhn issued the following statement on Sunday:
“Acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole and will be treated as acts of terror against residents’ safety and freedom to worship. 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. Jackson stands with Beth Israel and the Jewish community, and we’ll do everything we can to support them and hold accountable anyone who tries to spread fear and hate here.
I was at Beth Israel yesterday, and I saw firsthand how our partners stepped up. I want to thank the Jackson Fire Department and its Arson Investigation Division, JPD, along with our federal partners at ATF, the FBI, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, for moving quickly, working together, and getting their arms around this situation. Their work led to the swift arrest of a suspect, and we’ll continue to support their efforts as the investigation moves forward.”
Prominent Jackson Pastor CJ Rhodes
Anti-Defamation League
Counsel for American-Islamic Relations
CAIR issued the following statement:
“We welcome the swift arrest of a suspect in this disturbing arson attack on a synagogue and commend law enforcement for taking decisive action. Houses of worship should always be places of peace and safety, never targets of hatred or violence. We call on elected officials, faith leaders and community leaders to work together to confront antisemitic hate and to protect the civil and religious rights of all communities.”
This is a developing story. Anyone looking to chip in to help Beth Israel’s restoration efforts can do so by clicking here.