At a Glance
- Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19, was arrested Saturday evening, Jan. 10, for allegedly setting fire to Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi.
- Surveillance footage shows a hooded figure pouring liquid from a gasoline container inside the synagogue, causing extensive damage that rendered the building inoperable.
- Pittman allegedly told his father “he finally got them” and referred to the synagogue as the “synagogue of Satan,” according to an FBI affidavit.
- Why it matters: The attack on one of Mississippi’s oldest Jewish institutions, previously bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967, has prompted top federal officials to vow the harshest possible prosecution under new departmental priorities.
A 19-year-old college student is facing federal arson charges after authorities say he intentionally set fire to a historic Jewish synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, leaving the congregation without a usable building and prompting nationwide condemnation from the highest levels of law enforcement.
The Attack
The blaze broke out at Beth Israel Congregation and the adjoining Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 10. Fire investigators quickly determined the fire was intentional after discovering gasoline had been used as an accelerant, according to a release from Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves.
Surveillance video released by the Department of Justice shows a person wearing a hooded sweatshirt walking through the sanctuary while pouring liquid from what appears to be a gasoline container. The resulting fire caused widespread damage to the structure, including sections critical for worship and community events.
Beth Israel, founded in 1860, has occupied its current location since 1967-the same year the building was previously targeted in a Ku Klux Klan bombing. The latest attack has again left the congregation homeless, with Governor Reeves noting that “fire, smoke, and water damage” currently render the site unusable for services.
Arrest and Alleged Motive
Authorities took Stephen Spencer Pittman of Madison, Mississippi, into custody later that same Saturday. The teenager, who had completed three semesters of college, sustained non-life-threatening burns during the alleged arson and transported himself to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for treatment before being arrested.
An FBI affidavit cited by multiple outlets outlines the suspected motive:
- Pittman allegedly laughed when recounting the incident to his father, stating “he finally got them.”
- He reportedly referred to the synagogue as the “synagogue of Satan.”
- When questioned by investigators, Pittman said he targeted the building because it had “Jewish ties.”
The affidavit provides no indication of accomplices; officials have charged Pittman alone.
Federal Response
Top law-enforcement leaders responded within 48 hours, framing the prosecution as a test of the country’s commitment to protecting religious minorities.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a pointed statement contrasting her department’s stance with that of the prior administration:
> “This disgusting act of anti-Semitic violence has no place in our country, and unlike the prior administration, this Department of Justice will not let anti-Semitism fester and flourish.”
Bondi added that she has “directed prosecutors to seek severe penalties” and remains “deeply committed to protecting Jewish Americans from hatred.”
FBI Director Kash Patel echoed the sentiment, calling the arson a “targeted attack” and pledging that the Bureau “will never waver in our mission to protect Jewish communities from targeted anti-Semitic attacks.”
U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi labeled the incident a “hateful, anti-Semitic attack,” promising to “seek the most serious charges warranted by the evidence and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
Legal Outlook
Pittman appeared in federal court on Monday, Jan. 12, where a judge appointed a public defender to represent him. If convicted of the arson charge, he faces:
| Minimum Sentence | Maximum Sentence |
|---|---|
| 5 years | 20 years |
No trial date has been set, and prosecutors have not indicated whether additional counts-such as hate-crime enhancements-will be filed as the investigation continues.
Community Impact
Congregation leaders turned to social media less than 24 hours after the fire. In a Facebook post on Sunday, Jan. 11, Beth Israel shared a donation link for rebuilding efforts and thanked supporters:
> “We thank you deeply for your love and support.”
Synagogue representatives did not immediately respond to questions from News Of Losangeles about immediate next steps or temporary worship arrangements.
Historical Context
Beth Israel’s present building has now survived two major attacks more than half a century apart:
- September 18, 1967 – Ku Klux Klan members detonate a bomb outside the sanctuary, causing structural damage but no fatalities.
- January 10, 2025 – A suspected lone arsonist uses gasoline to set fire to the interior, rendering the facility unusable for the foreseeable future.
The congregation, one of the oldest Jewish institutions in Mississippi, has not indicated whether it will rebuild on the same site or relocate.
Key Takeaways
- Stephen Spencer Pittman, 19, is in federal custody, accused of deliberately burning Beth Israel Congregation with gasoline.
- Surveillance footage, burn injuries, and self-incriminating statements allegedly tie Pittman to the crime.
- Top federal officials, including the Attorney General and FBI Director, have vowed aggressive prosecution, citing a zero-tolerance stance on anti-Semitic violence.
- The synagogue, already historic for surviving a 1967 KKK bombing, faces an uncertain timeline for restoration after extensive fire and water damage.
For continuing updates on the case and rebuilding efforts, community members are directing the public to the congregation’s official communication channels.
