The overwhelming caring responses to the attack on Temple Israel from our Interfaith friends.
Brenda Naomi Rosenberg
My dear Detroit Jewish community, I want to share with you the overwhelming response I and my Jewish interfaith friends received from local and international interfaith activists we have worked with.
From Rabbi Dorit Edut, president, Detroit Interfaith Outreach Network
Rabbi Dorit Edut
“In such an unnerving situation as what happened to the Jewish community during the attack at Temple Israel, you often feel very alone and wondering who your true friends are and who has your back.
“Just as the news was spreading like wildfire across all kinds of social media platforms, I was out walking and my phone started buzzing with texts and calls. I did not even know what had happened until I saw a ‘shelter in place’ message and then received a text from a Muslim woman friend in Dearborn — ‘Are you OK? Please let me know where you are!’
“Because of my interfaith organization, all kinds of calls came in from Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and other Muslims — all worried about the Jewish community. That evening we had been invited to a Muslim Iftar (celebration during Ramadan) by a Bosnian imam in Hamtramck. I hesitated to attend until he reassured me with these words: ‘No one who says anything against Jewish people will be allowed to be here because we are all about peace among all people! And we have police who are both attending the event and guarding our space. So please know that you are protected!’
“My Israeli husband and I were still cautious, but we were warmly welcomed by so many different faith leaders there with words of sympathy and support. Of course, we all know of how wonderfully the Chaldean community responded to help the Temple Israel families. Additionally, there have been many formal expressions of support and denouncing the actions of this crazed individual who tried to kill so many at Temple Israel as abominable.
“From all this, we can take comfort and know that here in Metro Detroit we have many, many allies who are willing to help us and stand together against hate and violence. We can be grateful to them — and offer our support whenever they need — and continue to build our friendships daily.”
From Dr. Shari Rogers, co-founder and president of Spill The Honey
Dr. Shari Rogers
“I’ve received an outpouring of support and calls following the recent targeted attack on Temple Israel. Black and Jewish communities both know the pain of being targeted by hate, and we also know the strength that comes from standing together in the face of it.
“In this painful moment, that shared history of resilience, compassion and mutual support matters more than ever. Together we must answer acts of hate with unity, moral clarity and a commitment to protect one another while praying for healing safety and peace for all.
From Gail Katz, interfaith activist and member of Temple Israel
Gail Katz
“After the horrific attack on my beloved Temple Israel, I was so honored to receive over 50 texts and emails from my interfaith buddies who were concerned about my safety as they knew I am a member of Temple Israel.
“My Christian, Muslim, Baha’i, Jain, Hindu, Zoroastrian and Mormon friends all reached out to me to check on my well-being. I’m so grateful to know so many people of different faith traditions because of my work with the Interfaith Day of Unity (World Sabbath), WISDOM, the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit, Hartford Women United and more. I am so grateful to my Metro Detroit partners of many diverse faith traditions.
From Amy Sapeika, community director, American Jewish Committee
“I first realized there was a threat to our local Jewish community when I got a text from my high schooler, who was hiding in lockdown at school. As details emerged and it became clear the threat was directed at Temple Israel, my thoughts immediately turned to their Early Childhood Center. It was a horrific day. One that brought our worst fears into sharp focus, but thankfully, the only fatality was the attacker.
“In my role as Detroit community director for the American Jewish Committee (AJC), I work closely with interfaith leaders across the region. As news spread, I was inundated with texts, calls and emails offering solidarity, prayers and unequivocal condemnation of the attack from Christian, Hindu, Baha’i and Muslim partners. “One particularly moving call came from a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose congregation in Grand Blanc had endured an arson and shooting during Sunday services just this past September. It’s not a bond anyone hopes to share.
“Those interfaith expressions of support were a bright spot on an otherwise dark day. That spirit was further reflected when Shenandoah, a Chaldean country club, opened its doors to the Temple Israel community, first as a reunification center in the immediate aftermath, and later as the host of Friday night services.
“Each year, AJC Detroit hosts a Diplomatic and Interfaith Seder. In the wake of this attack, we’ve seen a surge of interest from interfaith partners eager to stand with us and strengthen those relationships. This year’s seder will carry even greater meaning. It will be a powerful testament to the resilience of our community and the bonds that sustain it.”
Please join with us in creating more friendships across all divides.
Brenda Naomi Rosenberg is a co-founder at Tectonic Leadership Center for conflict transformation and cross-cultural communication and a long-time interfaith activist.
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