Temple Shalom of Northwest Arkansas

01/12/2026

Statement on Fire at Temple Beth Israel

Temple Shalom is devastated to hear of the fire at Beth Israel Congregation (BIC) of Jackson, MS. We do not yet know the extent of the damage, but we know it was significant and includes at least four Torah scrolls. This was an intentional act of anti-Jewish hatred, and an arson suspect is in custody. This is not the first time Beth Israel Congregation has been the site of such attacks; in 1967 it was bombed by members of the Ku Klux Klan. In spite of these incidents, Beth Israel Congregation will continue to exist as a beacon of refuge for the Jewish Community in Jackson.

Beth Israel Congregation’s building is also the headquarters of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL), which supports dozens of smaller congregations across the south, including our own. Each year we attend their "Southern & Jewish" conference, use elements of their Hineni Y’all curriculum in our Religious School, and invite their resident rabbis to lead services and events here at Temple Shalom. Their current Director of Spirituality, Rabbi Salem Pearce, has been a mentor for our conversion students and a guide for our spiritual leadership.

We understand this is a frightening event, one that hits close to home. Just like Beth Israel Congregation, our Temple and our Board will remain unshakeable in our commitment to the Jewish community and members of Temple Shalom. Over the coming days and weeks, we will provide information on the incident as it becomes available and suggest ways to help our brothers and sisters at BIC and ISJL.

Most importantly, we will continue to add light to the world and do the work of tikkun olam — repairing the world.

"When you come to a place of darkness, you do not chase out the darkness with a broom. You light a candle" - Rav. Yekusiel Halberstam

Authorities have taken a person into custody after a fire heavily damaged a historic synagogue in Mississippi. No congregants were injured.

12/16/2025

Board Statement on Bondi Beach Mass Shooting

We are heartbroken at the news of the mass shooting at the Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14. The death toll has now reached 15, with dozens of others injured. This was a targeted antisemitic attack, motivated by extremist ideology and intentionally committed during Hanukkah. The victims include Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Ukrainian Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman. May the memories of all the victims be for a blessing.


Even as we are reeling at the news of this senseless attack, we are grateful for the many Australian citizens who sprang into action, most notably Ahmed al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old Muslim and father of two, who tackled one of the shooters from behind and wrestled away his gun. He is currently recovering in the hospital from injuries sustained during his heroic act. We honor his selflessness on behalf of our Jewish community and wish him, and all who were injured in these horrific attacks, a r’fuah shlema, a complete recovery.


Through these and other recent attacks, Temple Shalom continues to maintain a strong security presence. We are here to offer support and resources for members who need it. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, wrote, “the spirit of the defiant Maccabees is part of the Hanukkah story. Our Jewish community will not go into hiding. We are proud Jews and will remain so even as we make the security of our Jewish community a primary obligation.” In this season, we remember the spirit of the Maccabees, as we stand proudly as a Jewish community. We will continue to respond to this as we do all violence against the Jewish people: standing together to shine our light more brightly than before.


Chag Chanukah Sameach

12/14/2025