 March 12, 2026
My Dear JCC Community:Like you, I am experiencing many feelings at this moment. Feelings for our fellow Jews in West Bloomfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit with a thriving Jewish community. Feelings for colleagues there. Feelings for the Jewish people everywhere. How could we not be shaken by such news. As you must know by now, today, someone bent on evil, drove a truck, laden with explosives, into Temple Israel, a large Reform Synagogue. They have a large preschool, and it appears that this person drove a truck through the doors of that preschool. Thank G-d that the children and staff are physically okay, and that no one was killed. We are only too familiar with the fact that we Jews need to have armed security every time we gather. Thank G-d that Temple Israel had them. As I am writing this, it has not yet been reported who the driver was or specifically what the motive was. I imagine that we all have our strong suspicions about who the perpetrators may be. But we need to wait before we point any fingers. As Rabbi David Wolpe said: “Attacks on synagogues with guns are downstream of attacks on Jews with words…”. This comes immediately after 3 synagogues were fired upon in Toronto this past Shabbat. Thankfully, it appears that no one was injured in the Toronto incidents. But it highlights the significance and the breadth of the problem. I am not sure how to help you process these events. Throughout history, the Jewish people have been through numerous periods of escalating violence. We have always been strong and resolute. It is for times such as these that the Psalmist said: אֶשָּׂ֣א עֵ֭ינַי אֶל־הֶהָרִ֑ים מֵ֝אַ֗יִן יָבֹ֥א עֶזְרִֽי:עֶ֭זְרִי מֵעִ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ׃I lift up my eyes to the mountains,from where does my help come?My help comes from the Lord,who made heaven and earth”. But the Psalmist is only half correct. Our help also comes from each other. This is a time to check in on your family and friends. I have had numerous calls from friends and colleagues, both Jewish and not Jewish. It may not always seem like it, but we have a lot of friends and concerned people out there. We all need to be vigilantly aware of our surroundings. If you see something, say something. And do not forget to speak up loudly against hatred. That said, we need to live vigorous Jewish lives with Jewish joy, Jewish pridefulness, and Jewish resilience. In the meantime, pray for comfort and strength to all the members of the Detroit area Jewish community, and for our fellow Jews in this country and around the world. And don’t forget to pray for peace: |
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