We Stand in Solidarity with Congregation Beth Israel and the Jackson Jewish Community

We at NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster are horrified and heartbroken by Saturday’s arson at Congregation Beth Israel in Jackson, Mississippi, the state’s largest synagogue. The antisemitic attack caused extensive damage to the historic building and destroyed sacred spaces and Torah scrolls.

We are grateful that no one was physically harmed. Still, the nature of this attack - described by the suspect as targeting the “synagogue of satan” - is a stark reminder of the rising antisemitism facing Jewish communities across the United States.

Congregation Beth Israel is far more than a building. It is the center of Jewish life, learning, and connection in Jackson and throughout Mississippi. More than a headline, this is a wound to our extended family. NECHAMA stands in solidarity with Congregation Beth Israel, the entire Jackson Jewish community, and the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, whose headquarters are in the synagogue and also impacted by this act of hate.

NECHAMA’s mission is to respond in moments of crisis, offering comfort, hope, and support, while also confronting the forces that threaten Jewish safety and continuity and challenging antisemitic narratives. We have reached out to our partners at Beth Israel to determine how we can best assist the Jackson Jewish community in the days ahead.

Congregation Beth Israel was bombed by the KKK in 1967 and rebuilt. These horrible moments test the resilience of Jewish communities, yet history has shown that even in the face of violence and loss, our collective strength allows us to rebuild, recover, and reaffirm our commitment to Jewish life and continuity.