President Detroit Synagogue Killed; Investigation Ongoing
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
Sam Woll, 40, who chaired the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue board since 2022, was found in the street on Saturday with multiple stab wounds, police said.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Samantha Woll, our Board President,” the synagogue said. “At this point, we do not have more information, but we will share more when it becomes available.”
The Detroit Police Department said Woll’s body was found in the 1300 block of Joliet Place in Detroit’s Lafayette Park neighborhood, where a trail of blood led to her home.
By Sunday, police had still not determined a possible motive for the crime. But Detroit Police Chief James E. White told media that the department had mobilized numerous resources in its investigation.
Police warned the public not to draw conclusions amid concerns that one or more extremists are behind the attack after Hamas militants called for rage against Israel.
JEWISH COMMITTEE ‘HEARTBROKEN’
While the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) got involved in the probe on Sunday, Jewish people in and outside Detroit plunged into mourning.
In a statement seen by Worthy News, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) advocacy group said: “We are absolutely heartbroken over the murder of Sam Woll, an incredible leader, community member, and member of the [Jewish Community Relations Council] JCRC [and] AJC family.”
The AJC added, “We are grieving for her family and our community. She will forever be remembered as a ray of sunlight to all who knew her.”
She was also “a passionate Muslim-Jewish bridge builder and a longtime AJC lay leader who was a member of AJC’s Global ACCESS Steering Committee and co-chair of AJC’s ACCESS Detroit Young Leadership Program.”
The group stressed on social media platform X that “We will cherish her memory, and may it forever be a blessing.”
Police were to release more information about the case on Sunday.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY ADVISOR
Besides being a prominent Jewish community member, Woll was active within the Democratic Party.
She had been working for U.S. Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and was involved in the campaign of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
A mourning Slotkin said that Woll was “bringing light on the face of darkness” and that she fought for understanding between different religions.
Woll tried to be a bridge builder between young Jews and Muslims, friends said.
Detroit Police Chief James E. White said the department had mobilized numerous resources in its investigation.
“Understandably, this crime leaves many unanswered questions.” He asked the public to “be patient and not jump to conclusions” before authorities could piece together what happened.