Temple Shalom is devastated to hear of the fire at Beth Israel Congregation (BIC) of Jackson, MS. We do not yet know the extent of the damage, but we know it was significant and includes at least four Torah scrolls. This was an intentional act of anti-Jewish hatred, and an arson suspect is in custody. This is not the first time Beth Israel Congregation has been the site of such attacks; in 1967 it was bombed by members of the Ku Klux Klan. In spite of these incidents, Beth Israel Congregation will continue to exist as a beacon of refuge for the Jewish Community in Jackson.
Beth Israel Congregation’s building is also the headquarters of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL), which supports dozens of smaller congregations across the south, including our own. Each year we attend their “Southern & Jewish” conference, use elements of their Hineni Y’all curriculum in our Religious School, and invite their resident rabbis to lead services and events here at Temple Shalom. Their current Director of Spirituality, Rabbi Salem Pearce, has been a mentor for our conversion students and a guide for our spiritual leadership.
We understand this is a frightening event, one that hits close to home. Just like Beth Israel Congregation, our Temple and our Board will remain unshakeable in our commitment to the Jewish community and members of Temple Shalom. Over the coming days and weeks, we will provide information on the incident as it becomes available and suggest ways to help our brothers and sisters at BIC and ISJL.
Most importantly, we will continue to add light to the world and do the work of tikkun olam — repairing the world.
“When you come to a place of darkness, you do not chase out the darkness with a broom. You light a candle” – Rav. Yekusiel Halberstam
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