The flames of Congregation Beth Israel in Jackson, Mississippi echo some of the darkest images in both Jewish and American history.
This fire is the latest manifestation of the violent rhetoric directed at Jews on the street, in classrooms, and on social media.
This past Shabbat we read in the weekly Torah portion about the burning bush which was not consumed by fire. It is a powerful metaphor for the resilience of the Jewish people who go on despite fighting the constant battle of antisemitism. It is a lesson that the Jackson community of 1967 understood following the bombing of its synagogue, and a lesson for all of us as we face hate today. We stand with the Jewish community of Jackson as they move forward and rebuild.