In the early morning hours of January 10, 2026, a devastating fire tore through Beth Israel Congregation, the largest synagogue in Mississippi and the only Jewish house of worship in the state capital of Jackson.

The blaze, which began shortly after 3 a.m. during the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat), left significant portions of the historic building in ruins, destroying sacred texts and forcing the congregation to suspend services indefinitely. Authorities have ruled the incident as arson, and a suspect was arrested the same day.

According to Mississippi Today, he fire originated in the synagogue’s library and administrative offices, reducing these areas to charred remains. Congregants and leaders spent the day sifting through ash and debris to salvage what they could, stepping over puddles of water from firefighters’ efforts. Two Torah scrolls were completely destroyed, while five others sustained damage from smoke and heat.

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Remarkably, one Torah that had survived the Holocaust—preserved in a glass case—emerged unscathed, offering a small symbol of resilience amid the loss.

The flames also consumed the synagogue’s Tree of Life plaque, a memorial honoring congregants’ milestones such as bar and bat mitzvahs, and left the sanctuary covered in soot, with floors, walls, and ceilings requiring extensive restoration.

Investigators from the Jackson Fire Department, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) quickly determined the fire was intentionally set, classifying it as arson—a criminal act of deliberately igniting a structure. Initial suspicions of lightning from overnight thunderstorms were ruled out after drone footage showed no evidence of such an origin.

While the motive remains under investigation and has not been publicly confirmed as a hate crime, the incident has prompted widespread concern given the synagogue’s history and the broader rise in antisemitic attacks across the United States.

Beth Israel Congregation holds deep historical significance in Mississippi’s Jewish community. Founded before the Civil War, it has long served as a center for Jewish life in the region.

The building itself mirrors a tragic precedent: in 1967, it was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in retaliation for the congregation’s active support of the civil rights movement.

That attack heavily damaged similar areas—the offices and library—without causing injuries, much like the recent fire. The parallel has not gone unnoticed, evoking painful memories for longtime members and highlighting the persistent vulnerabilities faced by Jewish institutions.

Community and official responses have emphasized unity and support. Zach Shemper, president of Beth Israel Congregation, noted outreach from other local houses of worship, expressing gratitude for the solidarity during this difficult time.

Jackson Mayor John Horhn spoke with synagogue leaders and called for residents to reject hatred, recalling the alliances between Jewish and African American communities in the fight against injustice during the civil rights era.

He stated, “I would hope that all Mississippians and all Jacksonians would commit themselves toward moving beyond such behavior and activity and find a way where we can all get together and get along.”

The congregation is now assessing the full extent of the damage and planning for recovery, with offers from nearby churches to host services temporarily.

While the physical rebuilding will take time and resources, the incident underscores the enduring strength of the community. As one congregant observed amid the ruins, a prayer book lay open to the Shema—a central Jewish declaration of faith—symbolizing hope that the spirit of the congregation will endure despite the destruction.