Voices of Our Clergy

January 11, 2026 ~ Tevet 22, 5786
Dear Temple Israel Family,

When our nation and world awakened to the news of the devastating and senseless arson attack on our sister congregation, Temple Beth Israel of Jackson, it hit too close to home.

So many of our own Temple Israel members were raised in Mississippi with relatives and friends whose spiritual home suffered extensive destruction. The recently published photos of the destroyed library and entrance have conjured memories of many youth group conclaves and overnights I spent with so many of you across the generations at SoFTY and NFTY Southern events en route to Henry S. Jacobs Camp in Utica.

Temple Israel’s clergy, Board of Trustees, and entire membership extend our heartfelt prayers for comfort, strength, and faith, in the aftermath of this horrific tragedy. We are grateful that no lives were injured, and our congregation is already in touch with the lay leaders and student rabbi of Beth Israel to provide prayerbooks and any additional help we can offer to our neighboring Reform synagogue.

We are also adding a special project during our MLK Day of Service at Temple Israel next Monday morning to extend comfort to Beth Israel congregants. Please make plans to join us.

While heinous, unimaginable acts like this shake us to the core, they only strengthen our resolve to carry forward this precious legacy and heritage entrusted to us as the faith family of the Jewish people.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and outreach to any friends you know from the Jewish community of Jackson.

L’shalom,


Rabbi Micah D. Greenstein