We are dismayed to be writing to you once again after a terrifying antisemitic attack on our Jewish community. The attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, MI was only the latest instance of antisemitic violence that has become all too common against Jews in America and around the world. Thankfully, all the preschool children at the Temple were unharmed, but this attack could have easily been an unthinkable tragedy.

We are deeply grateful for the support, cooperation and professionalism of the law enforcement officers at all levels who work with us day in and day out and who rushed to our aid yesterday. Their commitment and courage are apparent at all times.

We know that all of the leaders of the Jewish Federation system and the Jewish community at large are aware of the significant investments that we have been making in the security of our community. We are also all aware that the risk of attacks have risen exponentially since October 7th, and again since the beginning of the latest war with Iran – Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion.

Yesterday was the most vivid possible example of how crucial these investments are to saving lives. It is absolutely beyond question that the preparation of the Detroit Jewish community led by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, of Temple Israel, of our entire Jewish Federations of North America system, and of our partners at the Secure Community Network, saved lives. The security training, the presence of armed security guards, and the relationships that have been built over years with local law-enforcement and with the FBI, all resulted in neutralizing the threat and removing all of the children and teachers from the building safely.

However, safeguarding our Jewish communities cannot solely be our responsibility. Rather, it is the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens in their places of worship and communal gathering. Here, too, our proactive steps have made a difference. Our advocacy for security funding at the federal, state, provincial and local levels have resulted in important assistance. But it is not nearly enough. Today, we sent this letter to every member of Congress. In addition, on May 18–19, we will hold a fly-in to Washington to lobby for increased security funding. To register for this event, please talk to your own Federation, or you may go to this registration form.

Friends, the security threat is real. We met this week with the leadership of the FBI and they clearly understand the risk. So does your local law enforcement. And so do we. We will do more to protect our community because we must. And we must remain vigilant at all times.

But – and this is critical – we must continue to show up! Surge into Jewish life, into Jewish learning, into Jewish culture. Send your kids to Jewish education and Jewish camps and to Israel. Wear your Jewish symbols proudly. We will protect ourselves and we will not be afraid.

It will soon be Pesach, the holiday also known as Z’man Cherutainu – the time of our freedom. We who live in America are blessed to live in the freest, most open society for Jews in the 4000 year history of the Jewish diaspora. We will not let that change. Our communities need us, the Jewish people need us, Israel needs us, and America needs us. With God’s help, we will not let up. 

הִנֵּ֣ה לֹֽא־יָ֭נוּם וְלֹ֣א יִישָׁ֑ן שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗ר יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

See, the guardian of Israel
neither slumbers nor sleeps!

Psalm 121