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Once again, the resilience and kindness of Oakland County were revealed in the wake of yet another senseless tragedy. This time, we came together to support our Jewish friends and neighbors after last week’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.
Whether it was the Chaldean community opening the doors of the Shenandoah Country Club to shelter children and staff on the day of the attack or the nearby Soul Café restaurant donating pizza and pastries to feed them, Oakland County didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand.
In the midst of destruction and grief, Temple Israel rallied the community to ensure a bat mitzvah planned at their location could continue at a different synagogue the next day. And in another show of support, more than $200,000 was collected to provide meals and gifts to security, staff, educators and officers who assisted in the incident.
I continue to be proud of the more than 600 first responders who were at the scene because I know it is a team effort keeping our residents safe. In this case, it was our Oakland County team, supporting the quick action of the West Bloomfield Police Department and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the FBI, the Michigan State Police, and emergency responders from neighboring communities.
Tragedies like these affect our families deeply – in this situation, the Jewish community first and foremost. And there was a ripple effect that expanded beyond the Jewish community, as neighboring schools and local residents sheltered in place. Oakland County continues to hold all these communities close, providing resources and assistance for anyone struggling with difficult emotions stemming from the Temple Israel incident. Do not hesitate to seek help. Our Oakland Cares page has a list of resources.
Sadly, nearly 100 antisemitic incidents were reported in our state since 2025, according to the ADL H.E.A.T. Map (Hate, Extremism, Antisemitism, Terrorism). And now, when these incidents happen, if there are people out there who still don’t understand that this is wrong, then we need to say it every day until we get through to them.
Hatred of any kind is wrong. No exceptions. It is time to turn the rhetoric down. I don’t know exactly how to get us there. But I’ll stand up every time, insisting that we do. And I know Oakland County will be standing strong together, alongside me.
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