Opportunity to Support Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi,
Following Vicious Antisemitic Arson Attack and Devastating Fire
You might have heard or seen the news that Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, was set on fire and heavily damaged on Saturday, January 10. Aside from the horrendous nature of this antisemitic attack, there’s a Shalom b’Harim connection. Molly Glazer Levy and Rachel Glazer, who grew up in our congregation, both attended this synagogue when they lived in Jackson. Both of them were fellows with the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute for Southern Jewish Life, for which Molly now works as director of education. ISJL is based at the synagogue.
According to an e-mail from ISJL:
The damage was extensive, structurally and to objects within the building, but thanks to the swift action of those first responders, the building was not fully destroyed, and no one was injured in the fire.
The cause of the fire has been established as arson, and a suspect has been arrested. The investigation is ongoing, but statements released today do confirm antisemitic motives for the attack. We are heartbroken and angry, but also resilient and grateful to be lifted up by the outpouring of support we are receiving.
Beth Israel Congregation, the largest synagogue in the state of Mississippi and a fixture in Jackson for more than 160 years, has survived attacks like this in the past. Following a bombing of the building by the KKK in 1967, the community maintained its presence and rebuilt its building and will do so again.
In addition to being the spiritual home to Jackson’s Jewish community, the Beth Israel Congregation building also houses the offices of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL), a regional nonprofit serving more than 100 Jewish communities across the South. For the foreseeable future, the building will be unusable for the congregation and for the ISJL. Several local churches have offered up space for BIC to hold services, and the congregation will continue meeting for worship, religious school, and fellowship.
ISJL and Beth Israel state that the best way to support the rebuilding efforts is by contributing to the Beth Israel Congregation Rebuilding Fund.
The Board of Directors of Shalom b’Harim is making a donation to Beth Israel Congregation as a gesture of our support and to express our outrage over this horrific act. If you wish to make a donation, it will be a blessing. Thank you for your consideration.
A news account of the fire from the Forward can be found here.
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Please join us for our next Shabbat Morning Service!
Saturday, January 24, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Unity of Gainesville
Services will be led by Rabbi Matan Peled.
To register, use this link.
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Shalom B’Harim Mission Statement
CONGREGATION SHALOM B’HARIM is a “beit knesset,” a Jewish place of gathering. We serve Jews and their families from throughout North Georgia. We are inclusive of all who wish to be part of our thriving, enriching, caring Jewish community dedicated to the principles of Tikkun Olam. We are a place to gather for worship of God and to enjoy camaraderie and a sense of family. All are welcome who wish to join in our mission of Jewish community and worship.
About Us
We are an inclusive, not exclusive, synagogue that attracts participants from Reform Jewish services, Conservative Jewish services and Orthodox traditions – both Ashkenazi and Sephardic heritages. We meet monthly for Shabbat services at Unity of Gainesville and offer annual High Holidays services and a congregational Passover Seder. We are strongly committed to Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – through ongoing support of Georgia Mountain Food Bank and other activities. We celebrate the diversity of all people and are committed to creating a spiritual home where everyone is welcomed, affirmed, and valued. We have no dues structure and depend on the generosity of our participants to support our operations. We can be found on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Shalom b’Harim is a welcoming Jewish synagogue in North Georgia. We invite you to explore our services and join our commitment to community and Tikkun Olam.