Dear Friends:
In the early morning hours of January 10, 2026, the Jackson Fire Department was alerted to a fire at Beth Israel Congregation. First responders arrived quickly on the scene and put out the fire. The damage was extensive, structurally and to objects within the building, but thanks to the swift action of those first responders, the building was not fully destroyed, and no one was injured in the fire.
The cause of the fire has been established as arson, and a suspect has been arrested. The investigation is ongoing, but statements released today do confirm antisemitic motives for the attack. We are heartbroken and angry, but also resilient and grateful to be lifted up by the outpouring of support we are receiving.
Beth Israel Congregation, the largest synagogue in the state of Mississippi and a fixture in Jackson for more than 160 years, has survived attacks like this in the past. Following a bombing of the building by the KKK in 1967, the community maintained its presence and rebuilt its building and will do so again.
In addition to being the spiritual home to Jackson’s Jewish community, the Beth Israel Congregation building also houses the offices of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL), a regional nonprofit serving more than 100 Jewish communities across the South. For the foreseeable future, the building will be unusable for the congregation and for the ISJL. Several local churches have offered up space for BIC to hold services, and the congregation will continue meeting for worship, religious school, and fellowship.
We are so grateful for the messages we have been receiving, locally and nationally. This warmth and care has been heartening to the Jackson Jewish community and the ISJL team.
For all those asking how to help: At this time, the best way to support the rebuilding efforts is by contributing to the Beth Israel Congregation Rebuilding Fund. While it is true that the library was destroyed and some Judaica and Torah scrolls were lost, at this time, due to the condition of the building neither the ISJL nor BIC can accept any material donations. In the coming months, BIC and ISJL will share updated guidance on contributions and support for the community.
We are grateful for the tremendous support from near and far. The ISJL remains committed to serving all of our communities across the South, including our beloved Beth Israel family. Together, we will all continue to support, connect, and celebrate Jewish life in the South.
With many thanks for your continued support,
Michele Schipper
ISJL CEO
Steve Libowsky
ISJL Board Chair
In the early morning hours of January 10, 2026, the Jackson Fire Department was alerted to a fire at Beth Israel Congregation. First responders arrived quickly on the scene and put out the fire. The damage was extensive, structurally and to objects within the building, but thanks to the swift action of those first responders, the building was not fully destroyed, and no one was injured in the fire.
The cause of the fire has been established as arson, and a suspect has been arrested. The investigation is ongoing, but statements released today do confirm antisemitic motives for the attack. We are heartbroken and angry, but also resilient and grateful to be lifted up by the outpouring of support we are receiving.
Beth Israel Congregation, the largest synagogue in the state of Mississippi and a fixture in Jackson for more than 160 years, has survived attacks like this in the past. Following a bombing of the building by the KKK in 1967, the community maintained its presence and rebuilt its building and will do so again.
In addition to being the spiritual home to Jackson’s Jewish community, the Beth Israel Congregation building also houses the offices of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL), a regional nonprofit serving more than 100 Jewish communities across the South. For the foreseeable future, the building will be unusable for the congregation and for the ISJL. Several local churches have offered up space for BIC to hold services, and the congregation will continue meeting for worship, religious school, and fellowship.
We are so grateful for the messages we have been receiving, locally and nationally. This warmth and care has been heartening to the Jackson Jewish community and the ISJL team.
For all those asking how to help: At this time, the best way to support the rebuilding efforts is by contributing to the Beth Israel Congregation Rebuilding Fund. While it is true that the library was destroyed and some Judaica and Torah scrolls were lost, at this time, due to the condition of the building neither the ISJL nor BIC can accept any material donations. In the coming months, BIC and ISJL will share updated guidance on contributions and support for the community.
We are grateful for the tremendous support from near and far. The ISJL remains committed to serving all of our communities across the South, including our beloved Beth Israel family. Together, we will all continue to support, connect, and celebrate Jewish life in the South.
With many thanks for your continued support,
Michele Schipper
ISJL CEO
Steve Libowsky
ISJL Board Chair
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