JCPA Statement on Synagogue Attack in West Bloomfield, MI

While we continue to learn more about today’s attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, we should make no mistake: the Jewish community is living in an environment of real fear right now and each of these incidents only compounds our concerns.

We have become far too accustomed to the frantic calls and texts in the aftermath of news like this — checking in on loved ones and praying that injuries are limited.

We appreciate the response of local, state, and federal authorities and synagogue security, and are grateful that nobody has been hurt at this time — but this should serve as yet another reminder that we need a whole-of-government and society response to address hate, violence, and extremism.

Our democracy is not truly inclusive unless Jews — and all communities — can live, pray, and work free from fear and violence. This moment demands real solidarity across communities to build a society in which all of us are truly safe.