Suspect arrested after a fire damages a historic Mississippi synagogue

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

Updated 8:50 AM CST, January 11, 2026

A person was taken into custody late Saturday after a fire ripped through a synagogue in Mississippi, heavily damaging the historic house of worship in what authorities say was an act of arson. No one was injured, reports say.

The blaze erupted at the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday. Photos showed the charred remains of an administrative office and synagogue library, where several Torahs were destroyed or damaged, synagogue leaders said.

Charles Felton, the chief fire investigator at the Jackson Fire Department, confirmed the arrest late Saturday to Mississippi Today, but did not provide the suspect’s name or charges. No injuries were reported. Felton said the department determined the fire was arson.

The synagogue, the largest in Mississippi, was the site of a Ku Klux Klan bombing in 1967 — a response to the congregation’s role in civil rights activities, according to the Institute for Southern Jewish Life, which also houses its office in the building.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-fire-arson-beth-israel-7a11b4b0f6524571da85fe4ed96e42bd

[TBF]

1. It's just constant hate in this country

but thank you for posting, Omaha Steve, I hadn't seen this story.

[Easterncedar]

2. It would be good to make a real show of support here

Our Jewish friends and neighbors need us to stand with them.

[paleotn]

5. Yes. But tell that to Stephen Miller, Bari Weiss and all the Orthodox guys.

Of all the peoples who should recognize the rise of violent authoritarianism. You'd think, anyway.

[dalton99a]

8. And Kushner, Lutnick, Adelson, Ellison, Zuckerberg, etc. etc.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. That would be nice.

But seems some are more interested in blaming Jews than supporting Jews.

[Clouds Passing]

3. K & R

[paleotn]

4. No name. No charges. Smells like a magat perhaps.

Herr Miller and Bari Weiss, founding members of Jews for Shitler, are supporting a movement who's members chanted what at Charlottesville? The won't be replaced by Jews? Hmmm.

Seems to me, Miller, Weiss and others are the modern equivalent of these guys. Maybe they're resting on the presumption they'll be the last to gassed.

[Deep State Witch]

6. Globalize the Intifada

I guess this is what they mean.

[wolfie001]

7. It's a local who hates Muslims as well

That's my guess.

[electric_blue68]

9. Another hateful act.

😔

[Behind the Aegis]

11. Damage done

Pictures from Mississippi Today article



This photo shows damage to the Beth Israel Congregation synagogue library from a fire that occurred hours earlier on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Courtesy of Beth Israel Congregation


Fire heavily damaged the Beth Israel Congregation synagogue in Jackson, including this lobby, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Beth Israel Congregation


This photo shows damage to the exterior of Beth Israel Congregation synagogue library from a fire that occurred hours earlier on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Courtesy of Beth Israel Congregation