In the early morning hours of January 10, fire tore through Beth Israel Congregation, Mississippi’s oldest synagogue and a spiritual home that has anchored Jackson’s Jewish community for more than 160 years.
But what was intended as an act of hate instead has ignited something far stronger in an extraordinary, citywide response rooted in faith, friendship, and an unwavering commitment to one another.
For Abram Orlansky, a congregant at Beth Israel and recent past president of the congregation, the days since the fire have been filled with emotion, but also profound gratitude.
“It has been an overwhelming source of joy and positivity for our community to experience the love and hospitality of our friends and neighbors,” he said. “It has served as a reminder that, contrary to the message that heinous acts like these are intended to convey, the Jewish community has tremendous support and love in Jackson.”
That support arrived swiftly and decisively, particularly from local Christian churches that opened their doors, hearts, and sanctuaries without hesitation.
When asked if he was surprised by the scale of interfaith support, Orlansky answered simply: “Not even a little bit.”
“We have always enjoyed a friendly relationship with our non-Jewish neighbors in Jackson, whether they be Christian churches, the Muslim community, the Hindu community, the Sikh community, etc.,” he said. “This week has only demonstrated how genuine that friendship is.”
Among the most meaningful gestures, Orlansky said, has been the response from churches offering worship space.
“We have been in discussion with several churches about borrowing space for however long we need it,” he said. “Each church’s leadership has insisted on providing more space, more support, and more community than we would ever have asked for.”
One of those churches is St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, a longtime neighbor and ministry partner of Beth Israel.
The Rev. Les Hegwood of St. Philip’s recalls learning about the fire early Saturday morning when Orlansky called him to ask if the church might have security footage that could help investigators.
“At that time, we were both praying the fire was caused by lightning,” Hegwood said. “When it became clear it was arson, my immediate response was fear for our brothers and sisters at Beth Israel. That fear quickly turned into determination, to help Beth Israel begin to pick up the pieces and begin to heal.”
The decision to help was never a question, according to Hegwood.
“We have a long history of cooperation, support, and collaboration with Beth Israel,” he said. “Over the many years we have gathered together, learned, and prayed together. St. Philip’s and Beth Israel are ministry partners, and it has been this way for generations. No matter the need, we will always come to the aid of Beth Israel.”
That commitment is deeply rooted in faith.
“I believe that following Christ requires big, gracious, and selfless love for all persons and all of creation,” Hegwood said. “All persons are shot through with the Divine. Therefore, we are called to love all, no exceptions.”
He didn’t need to persuade his congregation.
“I didn’t have to explain it,” he said. “Our parish was already about the work of loving on their friends at Beth Israel as soon as they found out.”
St. Philip’s has made its campus available for gatherings, services, and programming, and expects to host Beth Israel alongside other churches offering rotating space in the months ahead.
“I believe there is a generous spirit in Jackson,” Hegwood said. “Activism, outreach, and support of the community is in the DNA of St. Philip’s.”
That generosity was echoed powerfully at Northminster Baptist Church, which will be the first church to host the congregant.
In a letter to members, Senior Pastor Scott Dickison described a moment he said he will never forget. On Sunday following the fire, leaders from Beth Israel gathered in Northminster’s library, bringing with them Torah scrolls that had sustained smoke damage.
“We unrolled them over several tables to let them breathe for a period of time to mitigate damage,” Dickison wrote. “It was a tender and holy time.”
Beth Israel will gather in Northminster’s sanctuary today, January 16, for Shabbat services, followed by a Saturday morning service that will also include a bat mitzvah, a moment of celebration made even more meaningful by the circumstances.
“It is our honor to share our spaces with Beth Israel Congregation in this way,” Dickison wrote. “They are our friends and have been for many years. We share a history with them and will share a future.”
Dickison acknowledged the painful history the fire evokes but emphasized hope over fear.
“The faith that both of our congregations share teaches us that while weeping lasts for the night, joy comes in the morning,” he wrote. “That morning often breaks when we find each other in compassion and friendship.”
Support has poured in from churches across denominations.
Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and the Catholic Diocese of Jackson issued a strong statement condemning the arson attack, reaffirming their commitment to rejecting antisemitism and honoring shared spiritual heritage.
“We stand in solidarity with Beth Israel Congregation and with the Jewish community,” Bishop Kopacz said, citing Nostra aetate and the Church’s call to mutual respect and dialogue.
At Covenant Presbyterian Church, Elder Steve Ray expressed heartbreak and resolve.
“Every Covenant member I’ve talked to is horrified,” Ray said. “We love our Beth Israel friends and stand with them.”
Rev. Bruce Case of St. Luke United Methodist Church shared both sorrow and hope.
“Beth Israel has been such a blessing to our city since 1860,” he said. “My prayer is that the whole world sees how big of a heart we have for each other in Mississippi.”
Chris Mixon, Mission Pastor at Fondren Church, said outreach efforts began immediately, with calls and emails sent asking how to help.
“Our first reaction was deep grief,” Mixon said. “A sacred place in Jackson, a house of worship and community, had been violated.”
For Fondren Church, he said, the response was clear. “They are our neighbors. When one part of the community suffers, we’re called to respond.”
Mixon said his faith demands action. “Every person is made in the image of God. Supporting our Jewish neighbors is a way of saying: you belong here, and you are not alone.”
He hopes the response sends a broader message. “Hatred does not get the final word. Communities can respond with courage and love.”
Founded in 1860, Beth Israel Congregation is the oldest Jewish congregation in Mississippi and, for much of its history, the only synagogue in the state’s capital city. From its earliest days, Beth Israel has been woven into the civic, cultural, and spiritual fabric of Jackson.
The congregation’s story is one marked by resilience. In 1967, the congregation’s former temple on Old Canton Road was bombed by members of the Ku Klux Klan, followed by the bombing of Rabbi Perry Nussbaum’s home two months later. Those acts of terror, aimed at silencing a faith community and its outspoken leadership against racism and segregation, instead galvanized the broader Jackson community and strengthened interfaith resolve.
In 1967, Beth Israel moved to its current home on Old Canton Road.
For Orlansky, the interfaith response sends a clear message.
“Beth Israel has been a part of Jackson for over 160 years, and we’re not going anywhere,” he said. “Not only because our local Jewish community is resilient, but because our neighbors want us here.”
That unity matters, especially now.
“Acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole,” Orlansky said, echoing Jackson Mayor John Horhn’s words. “Any religious group can relate to the need to be safe worshipping in our community.”
Authorities have charged 19-year-old Spencer Pittman in connection with the fire that destroyed Beth Israel. According to court documents, Pittman allegedly broke a window with an axe, poured gasoline inside the building, and ignited the fire using a torch lighter.
Orlansky urged the public to understand the deeper impact of such acts.
“Beth Israel is made up of people, not bricks,” Orlansky said. “We will continue to find joy and meaning in our Judaism without missing a beat.”
As plans move forward, the synagogue has secured temporary worship space and continues celebrating the Jewish calendar while beginning the long work of rebuilding.
A rebuilding fund has been established at https://checkout.square.site/merchant/P9THETP8R9573/checkout/IUINAGVZSZ….
