Mississippi Synagogue Faces Arson Attack Decades After Klan Bombings
The Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, has faced repeated acts of violence over decades. In 1967, the synagogue and the rabbi’s home were bombed in separate attacks linked to the Ku Klux Klan. Now, 56 years later, another arson attack has struck the temple, reigniting fears among the Jewish community.
On September 18, 1967, a bomb destroyed the home of Beth Israel’s rabbi. Two months earlier, the synagogue itself had been targeted in a similar attack. No one was ever publicly named or convicted, but investigators tied the bombings to local Klan members. The violence spread fear through the Jewish community, leaving neighbours suspicious of one another.
The 1967 attacks were part of a wider Klan campaign against civil rights progress, resisting school integration and voting rights. Decades later, in 2023, 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman set fire to the rebuilt synagogue, causing severe damage. He admitted to targeting the temple because of its 'Jewish ties' and now faces federal arson and hate crime charges. Despite the destruction, the congregation remains determined to rebuild. Several local churches have offered their spaces for services while repairs take place. Congregation President Zach Shemper estimates the restoration could take at least a year. Some members see the recent attack as a painful echo of the past, even as they believe the city has moved beyond the racism of the 1960s. The 2023 arson follows a rise in antisemitic incidents across the US. Last year saw the highest number of reported cases since 1979, according to tracking groups.
The Beth Israel Congregation has endured two major attacks, one in 1967 and another in 2023. While the community works to restore its synagogue, the incidents highlight ongoing threats to Jewish places of worship. The congregation’s resilience contrasts with the lingering challenge of antisemitism in America.
