Shamira Mohammad

The Shabbat service was held in Northminster Baptist Church.

At least a dozen churches in the area have offered space for Beth Israel to hold services.

Congregants embraced, prayed for the sick, and celebrated birthdays and anniversaries.

They read from prayer books on loan from other synagogues in the region.

Shira Miroff is a Beth Israel congregant.

I think tonight was a time that it felt very needed to be with community.

According to court documents, 19-year-old Steven Pittman told the FBI he set the synagogue on fire last week because of its Jewish ties.

For NPR News, I'm Shamira Mohamed in Jackson, Mississippi.