Tupelo temple holds public service to memorialize San Diego, CA synagogue victims

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- The Jewish community of Tupelo gathered today for a memorial service in honor of those who were victims of the recent terrorist attack against a synagogue in California.

Members of the Temple B’nai Israel invited the public to attend their regular Saturday Shabbat Service to memorialize Laurie Kay who was killed during the terrorist attack at a synagogue in San Diego California.

“The hate crimes that we are seeing on the rise across the nation and across the world are just horrific. And it only seems to be getting worse. And I feel as though it’s our job to put an end the hatred that is out there. And the only way that we can do that is to help educate people on the differences and the diversity among all people,” said Temple B’nai Israel President Leslie Mart.

“I’m a psychotherapist by profession, and there are crazy people everywhere you go. And the hate is pandemic in the world we live in. Hate is based on fear. So when people are afraid, hate is something that grows out of that. So could it happen here? Yes it could happen here it could happen anywhere,” said Temple B’nai Israel Education Director Ron Baker.

Members of the Temple B’nai Israel make an effort to engage the community and educate the public what the Jewish faith is all about.

“The Jewish community here in Tupelo has been here for many many many years, dating back into the early 1900s. We were storekeepers, business owners and we are still here today. We are very strong. We have a very active congregation. While we may be small, we are very self-sufficient. I like to pride us on being a can-do type of congregation,” said Mart.

“I was born in Mississippi. The relationship of Jews in Mississippi has sort of been mixed. There were problems years ago. The temple in Meridian was bombed and other things. A lot of it having to do with the racial divide in the state,” said Baker.

However, Baker says things have changed in recent years because they have received so much support from the Christian community in the state.

Members of the Temple B’nai Israel say the Tupelo community has been all-encompassing and welcoming.