As many of you have learned from press reports, Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, was set on fire predawn on Saturday morning. Thankfully, no congregants or staff were injured, and the building was unoccupied at the time. The investigation is ongoing. The synagogue did have a security camera system, a fact which is assisting the investigation and which is a reminder of the importance of all the efforts we are undertaking to secure the Jewish community.

The destruction to the synagogue building was extensive, and, while damage assessments are still underway, the congregation is committed to rebuilding. Early reports indicated that several Torah scrolls were burned and others damaged. Thankfully, a Torah scroll rescued from the Holocaust was behind a glass case and survived the fire. The loss of the Sifrei Torah is a profound spiritual and communal loss, and we mourn it deeply with the Jackson Jewish community. At the same time, the fact that a Torah that survived the Holocaust and has been preserved for decades was not damaged reminds us who we are and how long we have endured.

We have been in direct touch with the leadership of Beth Israel Congregation and with the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, with which we have a long relationship and which has its offices at the synagogue. We have offered and will continue to offer any and all support that the community may need. We know that many Federations, especially those located nearby, have also offered to help. We will not hesitate to pass on requests that other Federations could help meet. As you can imagine, this small community is being overwhelmed with inquiries from all around the world, so we encourage all Federations to work together in a collaborative manner to relieve the burden on the community and provide the maximum help.

Of course, the full the costs of rebuilding cannot be established at this time. We know the synagogue leadership will share with us these costs when they have them, and we will of course share them with all of you.

For those who are asking how they can help now, JFNA has opened a special mailbox – Beth Israel, Jackson MS Rebuilding Fund. All donations will be forwarded in full to Beth Israel Congregation with appropriate attribution. If you wish to donate directly, the synagogue has indicated the following fund will be used to support the costs of the damage and rebuilding: Beth Israel Congregation Rebuilding Fund, Jackson MS.

Once again, Jewish history and Jewish life are being tested. This is the same synagogue that was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967. That history matters. And this attack comes as we mark one year since the devastating fires in Los Angeles, which the LA Federation community continues to navigate with courage and resolve, and just a few short weeks after the attacks in Sydney.

We will support Beth Israel Congregation and the Jewish community of Jackson, Mississippi through this moment of pain and through the long work of rebuilding as we always do.

Like the Torah that survived fire and history, our people persist. Our community is united and our resolve is stronger than ever.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Gary Torogow is the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Eric Fingerhut is the President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America.