A historic synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, which survived a Ku Klux Klan bombing in the 1960s, has been severely damaged in a weekend fire that authorities are treating as an act of terror. Jackson Mayor John Horhn confirmed on Sunday that a suspect has been apprehended in connection with the blaze at Beth Israel Congregation, the city's only Jewish house of worship.
Swift Response and Arrest Following Early Morning Blaze
The Jackson Fire Department responded quickly to the fire, which broke out at approximately 3 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Crews contained and extinguished the blaze. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. The coordinated work of the fire department's arson investigation unit and federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led to the swift arrest of a suspect later that same day.
In a statement, Mayor Horhn was unequivocal in his condemnation. "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," he said. He emphasized that targeting people based on faith is "morally wrong, un-American and completely incompatible with the values of this city."
Extensive Damage and a Painful History
The American Jewish Committee expressed outrage over the arson attack, noting the synagogue was "extensively damaged." While the sanctuary and offices of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life were spared, significant soot and smoke permeated much of the building. Tragically, two Torah scrolls housed in the library's ark were destroyed. A separate Torah scroll, a Holocaust survivor displayed in a hallway case, was not damaged.
Zach Shemper, president of the congregation, informed members that the building is "unusable at this time" and will require extensive assessment, cleanup, and repair. The congregation, which traces its origins to 1860, has been forced to cancel services indefinitely.
This attack evokes a dark chapter in the synagogue's past. Beth Israel Congregation was previously bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in the 1960s, making this latest assault a chilling echo of historical hatred.
Community Stands Together Against Hate
Local and national Jewish organizations have rallied in support. Tyree Jones, Chief of the Jackson Police Department and Sheriff of Hinds County, stated, "When a place of worship is targeted, it affects more than one congregation. It shakes the entire community."
Mayor Horhn pledged the city's full support to the Beth Israel community, vowing to hold accountable anyone who seeks to spread fear and hate. The incident has been characterized as part of a dangerous rise in antisemitism facing Jewish communities across the United States and globally.
Investigators used a drone to survey the damage and reportedly ruled out a lightning strike from storms that night as the cause. The congregation had held a board installation and reception on Friday evening prior to the fire.
