Religious Institutions and Public Safety

Federal authorities say 19‑year‑old Stephen Spencer Pittman admitted to his father and to investigators that he targeted Jackson’s 165‑year‑old Beth Israel Congregation because of its Jewish ties — allegedly calling it “the synagogue of Satan” and laughing “I finally got them,” with surveillance footage, text messages, gas purchases, a broken window and video of a masked figure pouring accelerant corroborating the FBI’s account. The blaze destroyed at least two Torahs and damaged others, revived painful memories of a 1967 KKK bombing, prompted nationwide interfaith solidarity and offers of replacement Torahs and temporary space, and left Pittman, who appeared via video from a hospital bed, arraigned Jan. 20 on federal and state charges (including a hate‑crime enhancement), pleading not guilty, denied bond and ordered to stand trial Feb. 23.