03/13/2026
CSS Statement on Synagogue Attack Outside of Detroit in West Bloomfield, Michigan
Whether deep in a bomb shelter in Israel, or sheltering-in-place outside of Detroit, Jews today can be fearful for our safety. In this week alone we add Thursday’s targeted attack of Temple Israel outside of Detroit to the two Synagogues in the Toronto area which were hit by gunfire and an explosion which damaged a Synagogue in Liège, Belgium.
We were alarmed by what FBI Special Agent Jennifer Runyan described as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community” of Temple Israel, a fellow Reform Synagogue. We could not imagine the horror and grief of those inside, and those outside with loved ones inside. We remain horrified by what could have happened with the attacker’s preparations. We are profoundly relieved there were no deaths of innocents and saddened there is injury to a brave security guard, who is expected to recover.
Jews today can be fearful for our safety — but we are not powerless.
Please know that CSS prioritizes the critical importance of our safety and security and many are aware of how we have furthered that goal (and for those in our community unaware, we welcome your inquiry.) Additionally, The JCC ELC employs a private armed security guard for school days, and we have our private armed guard for Shabbat Services, Sunday School, and larger gatherings. We gratefully and actively maintain an excellent working relationship with Hingham civic leaders and are honored by our extraordinarily close relationship with the Hingham Police and Hingham Fire and Emergency Management.
Nevertheless, we are arranging for an additional HPD police presence this weekend.
For us in Hingham and New England, the Communal Security Initiative of the CJP, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, has stated that: “We are operating in a higher threat environment. The increased threat levels are likely to continue for an extended period, and there may be more security incidents across the globe and across the United States. CSI is working to improve our communal security in a sustainable, holistic, long-term manner in the face of increased security threats.”
Whether deep in a bomb shelter in Israel or sheltering-in-place outside of Detroit, Jews today can be fearful for our safety — but we are not powerless. Especially when we hear echoing through the millennia the words delivered by both Moses and God to Joshua; a rousing charge and call of action to Moses’ successor in leading our ancestors, the Children of Israel, with this directive: “Chazak ve’Ematz!” חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ, “Be strong and resolute!” (Deut. 31:7, 31:23). The same is true of us. We too are called upon to be strong and resolute, tenacious and courageous.
״יְֽהוָ֗ה עֹ֭ז לְעַמּ֣וֹ יִתֵּ֑ן יְהוָ֓ה יְבָרֵ֖ךְ אֶת־עַמּ֣וֹ בַשָּׁלֽוֹם.״
(Psalm 29:11)
“Adonai oz l’amo yiten, adonai y’varech et amo va’shalom.”
May God give strength to the Jewish people,
and bless the Jewish people with peace.
——-
Rabbi Eric M. Berk —- Cantor Steven I. Weiss
