Category: Briefings & Statements

We are grieving and we are outraged.

Once again, our community has been reminded of the dangerous reality of rising antisemitism. On Sunday, a peaceful pro-Israel gathering in Boulder, Colorado—where participants were walking in support of the hostages in Gaza—was violently attacked by an assailant wielding Molotov cocktails. Fifteen individuals were wounded, including a Holocaust survivor. This occurred a little more than a week after Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were brutally murdered as they left the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., a place meant to honor Jewish life and history. These are not random incidents. They are part of an historic escalation in antisemitic rhetoric and targeted violence against Jews.

Our Detroit Jewish community is not immune. Our homes, businesses, and Jewish institutions have been targeted and threatened. What once felt unthinkable has now become all too familiar. These incidents wake us up to the reality that antisemitism is not a distant threat—it is real and present in our own backyard.

This week, we observed Shavuot—the holiday that commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, when the Jewish people entered into a sacred covenant with the Almighty. As we reflect on the profound gift of the Torah, we are reminded of the timeless values it imparts: justice, compassion, and the sacred responsibility we hold for one another. Shavuot calls us to stand united in purpose and resolve, just as our ancestors once did. That calling feels especially urgent now.

Combatting antisemitism in all its forms—whether physical, verbal, or online—is a central priority for the Jewish Federation of Detroit. We have joined with Jewish leaders from across the country to advocate for greater security funding from the government as well as a mandate to aggressively prosecute antisemitic hate crimes, in person and online. Singling out Jews to protest the actions of the Israeli government is antisemitism—plain and simple—and must be clearly and unequivocally condemned. We must also hold accountable those who comment or report on these incidents. Any statement that leaves out the words “Jews” or “antisemitism” fails to acknowledge the problem.

Equally essential is our commitment to keeping our community safe from harm. That is why we are proud to partner with Jewish Community Security Inc. (JCSI). Working in close collaboration with local, state, and national law enforcement, JCSI continues to set a national standard for threat prevention, safety education, and coordinated response. Thanks to JCSI’s expertise and vigilance, our synagogues, schools, and gathering spaces are better protected—while our entire community is more informed and prepared.

Confronting antisemitism, however, requires a collective response from our entire community. Several things are essential:

1. First, we must remain vigilant. If you see something, say something—our safety depends on all of us being alert and informed. You can report antisemitic incidents to Jewish Community Security, Inc.: https://jcsdetroit.org/#report or to the Anti-Defamation League:  https://www.adl.org/report-incident.
   
2. We must speak out clearly and forcefully against antisemitism wherever it appears. Whether we are talking to our neighbors, engaging with elected officials, or raising our voices online, we must remind the world that hate can never be normalized and that we all have a role to play in eradicating it. Learn more and support the Antisemitism Awareness Act: https://speak4.app/lp/1x01jsqp/
   
3. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we must respond to hatred by standing tall and living proud, visible, and active Jewish lives. Celebrate Shabbat. Support Jewish education. Show up for one another. Federation and its partners will continue to offer a wide range of opportunities to embrace Jewish life in our community. Let our lives reflect the beauty, strength, and enduring spirit of our people. There is no better answer to hatred.

We will not be intimidated. We will not be silent. And we will never back down from the responsibility we share: to protect our community, uphold our values, and work for a more peaceful and just world.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Gary Torgow
President
Jewish Federation of Detroit

Michael Berger
President
United Jewish Foundation

Steve Ingber
CEO
Jewish Federation of Detroit

We know this is a challenging time. For those who may be struggling with anxiety, depression or trauma-related difficulties, the community is here to help. Contact jhelp at jhelp.org or call 248-592-2650.

We are horrified by the violent attack on a peaceful pro-Israel gathering in Boulder, Colorado, where participants were walking in support of the hostages in Gaza and calling for their release. The Jewish Federation of Detroit stands in solidarity with those targeted and is closely monitoring this deeply disturbing incident.
This is yet another violent assault on Jews in recent days. These shockingly evil attacks must not be ignored. We implore all people of conscience to speak out against antisemitism in all its forms and to demand that this hate be stopped. Silence is not an option.
As we prepare to enter the holiday of Shavuot, we pray for the victims and send strength to the Boulder Jewish community. 

We are shocked, heartbroken and outraged by the murder of two Israeli embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. This horrific act is not just a tragedy—it is a stark and painful reminder of the growing threat of antisemitism, even in the heart of our nation’s capital. We mourn their loss, we stand in solidarity with their families and colleagues, and we reaffirm our urgent commitment to confront antisemitism in all its forms—at home and around the world. 

Am Yisrael Chai. 

Statement on the Release of Three Israeli Hostages

Just a few days ago, we greeted news of the potential release of the hostages in Gaza with cautious optimism. Today, we watched with tremendous relief and gratitude as three young women crossed into Israel.   

After 471 days of captivity in Gaza, Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher are finally free.   

Their return home, though fraught with immense challenges ahead, is a long-awaited moment of relief for families who have endured unimaginable anguish. Our hearts remain heavy for those still held captive, and for the ongoing trauma suffered by all who have been affected in this war against terrorism.  

The past fifteen months have been extraordinarily difficult for the families of the hostages, for the people of Israel, and for Jews around the world. The searing pain of October 7 and its aftermath runs deep, but today, we hold onto hope for the imminent release of all still held in Gaza, including those who were murdered and await a proper burial. We hope, too, that this is a step forward on the path toward greater peace and security. 

Through it all, the unwavering commitment of the Detroit Jewish community has affirmed what we know to be true: We are one people, one family, bound together through our shared history, our enduring beliefs and our love for one another.   

As we continue to stand with Israel in this difficult time, may we find strength in our unity and the hope that brighter days lie ahead. Let us continue to support one another and draw inspiration from the resilience of our community and the Jewish people.  

Together, we look forward to the release of all those who remain captive in Gaza. We will not rest until every one of them returns home.  

Am Yisrael Chai.