03/13/2026
“Tragedy in Michigan”
Rabbi Peter H. Grumbacher
Once again, an incident directed against our People. O:icials say, “We’re investigating the cause,” but it certainly wasn’t a bagel delivery gone awry. Not to be funny, but the “cause,” the “motivation,” “the inspiration,” comes from deep within the twisted souls of those who historically view Jews as necessary
targets. And today, the list of possible perpetrators has grown. One might jump to the conclusion that because Michigan is the home of one of the largest Muslim populations in this country, it could have been a Muslim. But, and let me be clear, it certainly might not have been!
That’s the face of antisemitism today…anybody American or foreign, right or left, yes anybody. History repeating itself shouldn’t be a shock. Some thought we were ripe for it years before these awful incidents have taken place. We were “lucky,” though that isn’t the best word because luck really has nothing
to do with it. A toxic mixture of many negative forces knows when to strike and where and how.
We must be vigilant PERIOD. Building or not, their – whoever “they” happen to be – their targets are people, those children in the Michigan synagogue or their parents or anyone else…their targets are Jews.
It is sad; and while we are thankful that even worse carnage did not occur due to the actions of the security people, any attack against our People requires our full attention, hopefully with sympathetic neighbors doing whatever is necessary to spread the word that such vicious antisemitism must not be tolerated.
And let us not be afraid to say we are Jews who stand with all our People, with all who respect each other, with all who know what this country is truly all about.
