JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi’s largest Jewish congregation isn’t fencing itself off from the public, so says Sarah Thomas, first vice-president of the Beth Israel Congregation.
Thomas spoke with 3 On Your Side on Friday, as a new chain-link fence was going up around the Old Canton Road property.
“This is a temporary fence that will be here throughout construction,” she said. “I don’t think that will be a part of the plans.”
[READ: ‘We are welcome here’: Beth Israel members react to outpouring of support following attack]
Sarah Thomas, first vice-president with the Beth Israel Congregation, speaks with WLBT.(WLBT)
The historic temple is being refurbished following an attack on the facility earlier this year.
Authorities say Stephen Spencer Pittman broke into the congregation’s building, doused it in gasoline and set it on fire.
He is currently being held at the Madison County Detention Center facing state and federal charges.
[READ: Accused synagogue arsonist indicted on two additional federal charges]
“It’s a huge process to fully get the building clean,” Thomas said. “Most of the contents are out, but there’s still some other things that have to go.”
The synagogue sustained significant damage as a result of the fire. Almost all of Beth Israel’s library was destroyed.
“There was a lot of smoke and ash throughout the building. And, so, it’s really just taking a while to make sure that the building is safe for us to go in and then rebuild,” Thomas said.
The congregation has not met at the synagogue since the attack, with other churches opening up their doors to help since.
“Our religious school, our services have continued as scheduled,” she added. “We have not had any lapses in programming, and I’m really proud about that.”
Thomas was unsure how much it would cost to make the repairs, and said that plans are to modernize the building with the input of the community.
“This building was designed in the 1960s. A lot has changed since then,” she said. “So, we’re excited to have a building that will move forward with our congregation and into the future.”
A historic marker at the Beth Israel Congregation brings attention to the 1967 bombings of the Jewish community.(WLBT)
Thomas said some listening sessions have already been held and the congregation’s building committee is already working on proposals to present to Beth Israel’s board and membership.
One thing Thomas would like to see are new soft-closing doors on the Holy Ark, a chamber in the synagogue that houses the Torah scrolls.
“I just think that would be great… if they just softly closed,” she said. “That is my big dram moment.”
For more information on helping with Beth Israel’s restoration efforts, click here.
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