Beth Israel Congregation rebuilds after arson, saying "there's healing that comes"
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What happened during the arson attack on Beth Israel Congregation?
Shabbat Shalom. This Friday, Beth Israel Congregation's Shabbat service in Jackson, Mississippi, started like most others.
But that night, the congregation was not in a synagogue. They met in a nearby church that had offered its worship space for the occasion. After the trauma of last Shabbat's arson attack on your beloved congregational home, I'm sure you are still shaken by the harm it has caused not only to your building, but to your sense of well-being. Just after the previous week's service, Beth Israel's synagogue was attacked. According to investigators, an arsonist broke into the building and set a massive fire that destroyed many parts of the historic synagogue.
The library sustained extensive fire damage. And as you go back toward the sanctuary, the fire damage is not as great, but there is smoke damage throughout the entire building. Therefore, the Beth Israel congregation will not be able to utilize this building for an extended period of time.
That's Charles Felton, chief of investigations at the Jackson Fire Department. The suspect was later caught by law enforcement and indicted by a grand jury. He told the FBI that he set fire to the building because of its Jewish ties. Beth Israel is the only synagogue in Jackson, and this is not the first time the congregation has been attacked. In the late 1960s, the synagogue and the rabbi's home were bombed by the KKK in retaliation for the congregation's work on behalf of civil rights. But on Friday and Saturday, the Beth Israel congregation pressed on.
How did the congregation adapt after losing their synagogue?
The attack was filled with hate, but the Shabbat is filled with love. Dr. King taught us that darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that. So together, let's banish the darkness. Shabbat Shalom. Consider this. Religious language emphasizing an appeal to the humanity of all people, whatever their race or religion, is foundational to the civil rights movement. But how do people in religious communities move forward in that spirit after a violent attack?
From NPR, I'm Sarah McCammond. It's Consider This from NPR News. There is healing that comes. That's what the rabbi, leading the first services since the arson attack at Beth Israel Synagogue, told those gathered in Jackson, Mississippi on Friday night. It was the second time the synagogue has been attacked, the first during the height of the civil rights movement. Rachel Myers, a leader of the congregation's religious school, has focused on finding the words to answer her students' questions about how Jewish life in the community will continue after their place of worship was devastated by the fire. We invited Rachel Myers to talk with us about how she, the children, and the congregation are doing.
First, I asked her about the messages she took from the weekend's services.
You know, our spiritual leader, Ben Russell, did a fantastic job of really setting the tone. You know, he was prompting us to be joyous and resilient. I'm always the first one to kind of give a woo-hoo. Like, I just feel like, you know, if there's a time to celebrate, there's a time to celebrate. And it truly did feel like that. I was struck by the fact that you said it was a joyful service, even after everything. Yes, yes. And that just, I think that's a Jewish tradition. I think there is such a Jewish tradition to need to find joy together. You know, the prayers are meant to be uplifting. They're meant to, you know, bring us together. This morning, I did get choked up at the very first prayer. It's called Mato Vuh.
Mato Vuh, alekai.
You're supposed to say it right when you enter a sanctuary to kind of be grateful to be in a sacred space together.
What messages were shared during the first service after the attack?
And we'll continue to sing that same song.
We'll continue. We'll continue.
When I met with the Sunday school kids the very next day, I was very intent to show them photos of what happened inside the building so that they could see what was done to us. And then we immediately started dreaming of what we were going to do next. And they had some great ideas for things that they want in our next space.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What happened during the arson attack on Beth Israel Congregation?
0:00–1:38
2
How did the congregation adapt after losing their synagogue?
1:38–4:19
3
What messages were shared during the first service after the attack?
4:19–7:22
4
How do community leaders find joy in the face of adversity?
7:22–10:31
Speakers
4 identifiedMore from Consider This from NPR
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