A Note from Solly Kane
Reflections from Federation’s President & CEO
January 12, 2025
Dear Seattle Community,
Over the weekend, many of us woke up to the news of yet another antisemitic attack – this time in Jackson, Mississippi. On a peaceful Saturday morning before Shabbat services, Beth Israel Congregation was set on fire. While, thankfully, nobody was injured, the fire severely damaged the building and burned several Torah scrolls.
This photo provided by Beth Israel Congregation shows damage sustained during a fire, January 10, 2026, at Beth Israel Congregation, in Jackson, Mississippi. (Beth Israel Congregation via AP)
Miraculously, a Torah scroll rescued from the Holocaust was protected by a glass case and didn’t get damaged. The fact that this Torah survived the Holocaust, has been preserved for decades, and persisted through yet another disaster, reminds us of our strength and endurance as Jewish people.
Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) are collaborating directly with the leadership of Beth Israel Congregation and with the Institute of Southern Jewish Life to support the Jewish community in Jackson as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding. This synagogue has lived through adversity before when it was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967. It continued serving its community with courage and resolve, and this time, it will rise and thrive again with the support of the global Jewish community.
If you would like to help contribute to these efforts, 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.
As we think about the safety and security of the Jewish community in Jackson, Mississippi, the safety and security of our Jewish community in Washington State is our highest priority. You can also take advantage of ongoing security resources and training that we provide through our partnership with the Secure Community Network (SCN). If you missed last week’s webinar guiding nonprofits through the Nonprofit Security Grants applications process, you can access the recording here. More webinars are available through SCN, and you can request risk assessment, emergency preparedness consultation, and security training directly from our Regional Security Advisor, Lee Yates.
Like the Torah scroll that survived fire and history, we as a Jewish people will persist even through the darkest of times.
Solly Kane
President & CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
Solly Kane
President & CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
