New Jersey congregation donates Torah to Beth Israel after fire

A New Jersey synagogue is helping Jackson’s Jewish community recover after a January arson attack that destroyed sacred religious items at Beth Israel Congregation.A dedication ceremony is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Friday at Northminster Baptist Church, where Congregation Neve Shalom of Metuchen, New Jersey, will officially present Beth Israel Congregation with a Torah scroll.Congregation leaders said the donation is meant to remind Beth Israel that it is not alone following the attack.The gift comes months after an intentional fire heavily damaged Jackson’s only synagogue. Congregation leaders said two Torah scrolls were destroyed and five others were damaged in the blaze.Leaders with Congregation Neve Shalom said they reached out to Beth Israel immediately after learning about the fire and wanted to support the congregation as it rebuilds.The donated Torah also has a special connection to Mississippi. Congregation leaders said its new mantle was woven with cotton from the Mississippi Delta, and students from the New Jersey congregation raised money to help support Beth Israel’s recovery efforts.Federal prosecutors said 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman was arrested in connection with the January arson. According to prosecutors, Pittman faces multiple federal charges, including hate crime allegations, and is accused of intentionally setting the fire that destroyed two Torah scrolls and heavily damaged the synagogue. His case remains pending.

JACKSON, Miss. —

A New Jersey synagogue is helping Jackson’s Jewish community recover after a January arson attack that destroyed sacred religious items at Beth Israel Congregation.

A dedication ceremony is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Friday at Northminster Baptist Church, where Congregation Neve Shalom of Metuchen, New Jersey, will officially present Beth Israel Congregation with a Torah scroll.

Congregation leaders said the donation is meant to remind Beth Israel that it is not alone following the attack.

The gift comes months after an intentional fire heavily damaged Jackson’s only synagogue. Congregation leaders said two Torah scrolls were destroyed and five others were damaged in the blaze.

Leaders with Congregation Neve Shalom said they reached out to Beth Israel immediately after learning about the fire and wanted to support the congregation as it rebuilds.

The donated Torah also has a special connection to Mississippi. Congregation leaders said its new mantle was woven with cotton from the Mississippi Delta, and students from the New Jersey congregation raised money to help support Beth Israel’s recovery efforts.

Federal prosecutors said 19-year-old Stephen Spencer Pittman was arrested in connection with the January arson.

According to prosecutors, Pittman faces multiple federal charges, including hate crime allegations, and is accused of intentionally setting the fire that destroyed two Torah scrolls and heavily damaged the synagogue. His case remains pending.