In the early morning hours of January 11, 2026, flames ripped through Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi – the state’s largest and oldest synagogue. The fire destroyed the library, two sacred Torahs and the Tree of Life plaque honoring generations of meaningful moments. But this was no accident. This was an act of deliberate hatred.
According to an FBI criminal complaint, 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman confessed to smashing a window with an axe, pouring gasoline inside and starting the fire because of the building’s “Jewish ties.” He called the synagogue the ‘synagogue of Satan’. When confronted by his father about burns on his hands, ankles and face, Pittman reportedly laughed and said, “I finally got them.”
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Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson is the state’s largest synagogue. No congregants were injured, officials said. (Beth Israel)
This attack is not the first for the Beth Israel community. Founded in 1860, the synagogue has been a beacon of Jewish life in Mississippi for more than 165 years. In 1967, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, local Ku Klux Klan members bombed both the synagogue and the home of the rabbi – a man who had courageously spoken out against racism and segregation.
Nearly sixty years later, hatred has once again targeted this sacred place. The parallels are chilling. The methods may differ, but the intent remains the same: to terrorize, silence, and destroy a community’s place of worship and belonging.
This attack in Mississippi is part of a disturbing global increase in anti-Semitic violence. Just weeks earlier, a father and son opened fire on Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killing fifteen and wounding dozens. In the United States, Europe and beyond, Jewish communities are facing an alarming wave of hate crimes, vandalism and threats.
The FBI complaint shows that Pittman conducted “research” before the attack — a chilling reminder that anti-Semitism is not spontaneous. It is taught, cultivated and encouraged through rhetoric that dehumanizes Jewish people. When we allow hate speech to go unchallenged, when we dismiss anti-Semitism as “just politics” or “free speech,” we create the conditions for violence.
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Signs cover the charred remains of the Beth Israel Congregation library, which was set on fire on Monday, January 12, 2026, in Jackson, Mississippi. (Sophie Bates/AP Photo)
Despite the destruction, the Beth Israel community stands strong. President Zach Shemper released a statement affirming the resilience of the synagogue’s 150 families: “As Jackson’s only synagogue, Beth Israel is a beloved institution, and it is the community of our neighbors and the extended community that will see us through.”
Remarkably, a Torah that survived the Holocaust – protected by a glass display case – was not damaged by the fire. It stands as a powerful symbol of Jewish survival and continuity in the face of relentless hatred.
Local churches have provided Beth Israel with temporary space to continue services while the synagogue is rebuilt. Jackson Mayor John Horhn stated, “Acts of anti-Semitism, racism and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole and will be treated as acts of terror against residents’ safety and freedom of worship.”
This photo from Beth Israel Congregation shows the damage sustained during a fire Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson. (Beth Israel congregation via AP)
The firebombing of Beth Israel is not just an attack on the Jewish community – it is an attack on our shared values of religious freedom, dignity and peace. When one community is targeted, we are all diminished. That’s why building bridges is more urgent than ever. We must create spaces where people from all backgrounds can come together in dialogue, education and solidarity. We must confront anti-Semitism wherever it occurs: in our schools, in our workplaces, on our social media and in our communities.
We must support our Jewish neighbors not only in times of crisis, but also in the daily work of building a society rooted in respect and understanding.
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As we reflect on this tragedy, let us commit to speaking out against anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred, even when it is uncomfortable. That means educating ourselves and others about the history and impact of anti-Semitism, building bridges between communities through dialogue, shared experiences and collective action, and supporting Jewish communities in tangible ways – from attending solidarity events to advocating for safety resources and amplifying Jewish voices. It also means holding leaders accountable for rhetoric that fuels division and violence.
The flames that engulfed the congregation of Beth Israel were intended to destroy. But instead they have highlighted the urgent need for solidarity, the power of resilience and the enduring power of community.
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We cannot allow hatred to win. We must choose connection over division, understanding over ignorance, and love over fear. Together we can build a future where sacred spaces are protected, where all people can worship freely, and where acts of terror are responded to with unwavering unity.
The work of peacebuilding is not easy, but it is essential. And it starts with each of us choosing to stand together – today and every day.
