Dear friends,
We reach out following the horrific security situation this afternoon at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. This incident is still unfolding, and more details will be available in the coming days. For now, our thoughts are with the entire Temple Israel family and with the wider West Bloomfield community.
We are in close contact with local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, with whom we maintain strong working relationships. Currently, there are no known threats to Congregation Emanu El or any other Jewish organization in the Houston area. As always, the security of Emanu El’s members, students, guests, staff, and property are our highest priority, and we remain vigilant about their safety and well-being.
We will appreciate your understanding and cooperation with security procedures and personnel when you encounter a heightened security presence here at Emanu El. As a reminder, a CEE sticker must be visible on all vehicles entering our campus, and member badges or school identification lanyards should remain visible at all times. Guests to our building should also anticipate stricter entry screening procedures when they arrive at Emanu El’s campus.
We know that this incident may feel frightening or troubling to members of our community, especially at this time of heightened antisemitic activity in our nation and around the world. If you are in need of pastoral or emotional support, we encourage you to reach out to a member of our clergy team or to our Shalva Project JFS case manager and clinician. At difficult times like these, the Jewish community’s greatest strength and most valuable asset is our capacity to extend a hand of care and concern for each other. Thank you for being a part of our precious spiritual home.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Oren J. Hayon
Senior Rabbi
Beryl P. Chernov
Executive Director
