Update: A suspect has been arrested. Sources told JJ the suspect is a 19 year-old white male. Security cameras captured him on video. He allegedly burned himself and had to go to the hospital. The Jackson Fire Department, ATF, FBI, and Homeland Security are investigating.
A fire took place at Beth Israel Congregation this morning. The Southern Jewish Life website reported:
Beth Israel in Jackson, the community's sole synagogue and the largest in Mississippi, reported that a fire broke out in the library late last night, and "completely engulfed the library as well as the adjacent office area." In an email to the congregation, President Zach Shemper said that damage is being assessed, and there is "significant" soot and smoke throughout much of the building. There were no injuries. Beth Israel also houses the offices of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, which provides services to Jewish communities in 13 states, with a focus on smaller communities. ISJL CEO Michele Schipper, who is a past president of Beth Israel, said the ISJL offices and the sanctuary were not damaged, and the Torahs have been removed for safekeeping.
Shemper said the congregation’s leadership is working with the fire department and law enforcement. No cause has been determined. There were strong thunderstorms in the area for much of the night. Last night, the congregation held its board installation at the 6:15 p.m. service, with a reception following. While there is usually a service and Torah study on Shabbat morning, this week’s had been cancelled. The congregation holds Sunday School classes. Next Shabbat, the congregation has an adult Bat Mitzvah scheduled for Tamar Sharp. The building, which was dedicated in March 1967, has a diamond-shaped layout, with the offices and library on one end, classrooms and other rooms along the sides, and the sanctuary and social hall in the center of the building, with a movable wall in between. Article
Jackson Fire Department units arrived at approximately 4 AM. The cause of the fire is under investigation and yes, the FBI is involved.
34 comments:
Can I be first to say, "Usual Suspects"?
How can we help? can we donate? can we help clean up?
Can I be first to say "I hope not?" Hopefully something innocent.
I was a member at Christ UMC from 1966 to 2000. I was there in 1968 when the KKK bombed the temple. It was unusual because our church, Beth Israel, and St. Phillips got along so well that we were in the "Holy Corner." Beth Israel also let CUMC park on their land on Sunday mornings. I sure hope this was an accident because those people are great and helped me learn how good Jewish people can be.
Im sure the FBI is going to give us the full story on this one just like the State Capitol nooses and the vandalized Jewish cemetary in metro DC.
What ever happened with the nooses? I thought for sure the guilty party would be in jail by now.
Thank you for giving us a more complete story. I do hope there is follow up
Today's anti-Semites are not rural rednecks. They are university endowed professors with fat pensions. Best to look there first.
Now we will see if the Mayor Senator and Jackson City Council members are truly against racism by their reactions to this. Will they be silent? Will they give empty words (condemnations for appearances)? Or will they actually do something to help (not racists)?
Now we will see if the Mayor Senator and Jackson City Council members are truly against racism by their reactions to this. Will they be silent? Will they give empty words (condemnations for appearances)? Or will they actually do something to help (not racists)?
You aren’t wrong 8:44
This is evil. I am truly glad the FBI is involved. It should be noted that over 400 churches were vandalized and burned during the Biden era. The Biden FBI couldn't be bothered with investigating these hate crimes as they were pre-occupied with investigating parents who dared to speak out at school board meetings and Catholic churches using a Latin mass.
5:31's comment aged like fine milk
Too many black politicians believe that Jews and Catholics weren’t oppressed. Today it’s only signs of the civil rights museum show black population rather than Jewish and Catholic. People need a true education. Leftists and white elites are also to blame for this mentality
Can you contribute to rebuild
At least the arsonist is an adult and will be charged as such. Hopefully, he will be prosecuted in federal court where he is unlikely to receive the usual blessings given to defendants in Hinds County state courts.
Thank God, no one was injured except the felon. Beth Israel will rebuild and come back stronger than ever.
Mississippi Burning
Any news on who was arrested? Their background? And would like to contribute to rebuilding
If you want to get the answers go here https://www.fakehatecrimes.org/
Why the secrecy about the suspect? Obviously not from you KF, but from law enforcement.
Not unusual after an arrest. I think by end of day or tomorrow morning we will have a name.
Zach Shemper is a Hattiesburg guy, one of the Shemper brothers and part of a fine family with proud Jewish heritage. Much of Hattiesburg’s history and successes can be traced to the Jewish families who came to the area generations ago. My prayers are with the Beth Israel congregation.
It is long past time for serious legislation in this state to combat hate speech.
We require adults to identify themselves to access porn hub. Why not pass laws making the same requirements to access 4chan or X? Both are platforms for antisemitic radicalization!
What in God's name have Jewish people done to a 19 year old young man? Boo hoo. Throw the book at the little shit.
The longer they take to release the name the more I’m thinking it’s a free Palestine type instead of racist white trash.
5:31 obviously doesn’t know that the “usual suspect” for a crime like this one more often than not looks like what 5:31 probably looks like. Indeed, this synogogue
has been targeted before—by the KKK. 5:31 might want to sit this one out.
If you listen to Tucker Carlson then you will be told the same old blood libels and more of the same anti-semitic conspiracy theorist lies that have been used against innocent Jews for thousands of years.
The milk isn't quite aged yet. The 'usual suspect list' also includes white meth-heads, the mentally ill trans-group and white, anti-semites. Keep your powder dry until later today to find out which square peg fits in the round hole.
The perpetrator, whoever she is, did this for no reason, right?
When I was a lad, I went to Broadmoor Baptist with my grandparents. I distinctly remember Brother Jim Futral saying there had been attacks on Jews in Jackson, recently, including gluing one person's teeth together . Never could find any newspaper articles about it. Did it actually happen?
9:56 and Candace Owens
The report says he is 19. that is not a minor. Release the name, and the parent's names.
Whenever conservatives get a little headwind, idiots like Carlson and Owens take over and ruin it.
No religious institution has ever turned down a well meaning check. Just put one in the mail tomorrow.
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