A Torah scroll removed from the Temple Israel synagogue in Detroit was displayed at a makeshift sanctuary across the street during Shabbat services on Friday, just days after an attack on the temple that killed one person and injured many others. The community came together to support each other despite the violence, with members of another faith community offering aid and shelter.
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny spoke about the importance of holding onto tradition during a time of crisis, saying “Our traditions live… We’re going to keep celebrating Shabbat.” The attack targeted the synagogue’s grounds and damaged the building, but many children were safely evacuated by teachers who had received active shooter training just weeks earlier.
Community members from another faith community came together to provide support, shelter, and food for the affected families. In a powerful show of interfaith solidarity, they opened their doors to the Jewish congregation in a time of crisis. The synagogue’s sanctuary is defined by its people, not its building, according to Rabbi Paul Yedwab, who called the events “a miracle.”
Despite the damage to the building, the community remained strong and resilient, with many children singing songs while waiting for their parents to arrive at the reunification center. The attack was part of a larger trend of violence in recent weeks, but the community’s response showed that even in times of fear and uncertainty, they can come together and support each other.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/14/us/temple-israel-west-bloomfield-jewish-community