Arson Destroys Mississippi’s Oldest Synagogue,Sparking Investigation adn Community Resolve
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A historic place of worship in Jackson,Mississippi,has been severely damaged by fire,prompting a federal investigation and leaving the Beth Israel Congregation reeling. A 19-year-old suspect is in custody, having confessed to intentionally setting the blaze “due to (the) building’s Jewish ties,” according to the FBI.
A History of Resilience, Now Tested Again
The Beth israel Congregation, founded before the Civil War, holds a significant place in Mississippi’s history. The synagogue, which serves approximately 150 families, was previously targeted by a bombing in 1967, a stark reminder of the antisemitism that has plagued the community. The building itself,constructed in 1890,showed the scars of that attack,but stood as a testament to the congregation’s enduring spirit.
The recent fire,though,has inflicted a new wave of devastation. The exterior of the synagogue is stained with soot, and the sanctuary and library suffered the most significant damage. The library, home to decades-old religious texts on wooden bookshelves, was notably vulnerable, with charred prayer book pages and shattered glass scattered across the floor.
According to Charles felton, chief of investigations for the Jackson Fire department’s arson division, the fire originated in the library. An ornate cabinet known as an Ark, which housed two Torahs, was almost completely incinerated. The flames then spread to the sanctuary, heavily soiling the pews.
Saving the Sacred Texts
Despite the devastation,congregants acted swiftly to salvage what they coudl. Zach shemper, the congregation’s president, prioritized the removal of the Torahs – the heavy scrolls containing the Jewish holy books – promptly after the fire.
“First thing I did when I got here after the fire was remove our Torahs and wrapped them up and put them in my truck for safekeeping,” Shemper said.
The Torahs were moved to a local church, were they are being aired out to remove the smoke. sheila Hailey, the congregation’s executive director, explained that a master sofer – a highly skilled scribe – will need to evaluate and restore the Torahs to a kosher status. To be considered kosher, a Torah must be free of damage, with all letters legible on parchment sewn together and rolled onto wooden spindles.
Jewish custom dictates that damaged holy texts receive a respectful burial. After the temple is remediated, the remaining prayer book fragments will be collected, commemorated with a funeral, and interred.
Loss Beyond Repair
The fire claimed more than just texts. A decades-old sculpture of Moses,which remarkably survived the 1967 bombing,was damaged,its head breaking off and becoming covered in ash. The fire also destroyed all but one of the brass plates comprising the temple’s Tree of Life art installation, a symbol representing moments of celebration within the congregation.
“I want to cry. I’m disgusted,” Shemper said, visibly shaken as he surveyed the damage. “I’ve never had to deal with something like this. I’ve never even experienced the feelings that I’m feeling right now.”
Shemper also searched for a shofar – a Jewish musical instrument made from a ram’s horn used on holy days like Rosh Hashanah – but was unable to locate it amidst the rubble. “I don’t know how hot something has to get,” he said, “for a ram’s horn to burn.”
A Community United in Rebuilding
Repairing the synagogue is expected to take at least a year. In the interim, several churches have offered their facilities to the Beth israel Congregation. Despite the devastation, the congregation remains committed to maintaining a Jewish presence in Jackson and is steadfast to rebuild. Michele Schipper, a past president of the temple, affirmed the congregation’s resolve.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of antisemitism and the importance of community support in the face of hate.
