Remembering the Jewish Victims of the Jonestown Massacre

On November 18, 1978, the tragic events of Jonestown unfolded, resulting in the deaths of over 900 people, including 16 Jewish members of the Peoples Temple cult led by Jim Jones. The Jewish members were attracted to the Temple's social justice ideals and its involvement in racial equality movements. Over time, the Temple transformed from a church to a social-communal experiment centered around Jones. The members were subjected to indoctrination and rituals, including simulated suicide drills, which normalized the idea of mass suicide. Some prominent Jewish members, such as Deborah Layton and Sharon Amos, played significant roles in exposing the dangers of the cult and providing insights into the conditions at Jonestown.