‘Everyone deserves to practice their faith safely’ Local Jewish community responds to Temple Israel attack
Members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo were on a bus trip not far from Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, MI, when the attack occurred.
SYLVANIA, Ohio (WTVG) - When news broke of an attack at Temple Israel in Metro Detroit, those in Sylvania immediately tried to get as much information as possible.
“You know, phones were buzzing and people were all anxious for information,” said Stephen Rothschild, C.E.O. of the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Greater Toledo.
Some members of the local Jewish community, Rothschild said, were not far from the West Bloomfield Synagogue when the violence happened.
“We had a bus of members of our community that actually went up to Detroit yesterday to do Passover shopping. And they were within just a couple miles of the temple there when all of this occurred,” said Rothschild.
Like Temple Israel, Rothschild explained, the campus here prepares for these types of emergencies.
“Our community institutions have had stop the bleed training. We’ve offered active shooter drills. We stay in touch with local law enforcement and we encourage people all the time to, again, remain aware. And if they see circumstances that don’t seem right, that, you know, they need to say something about that,” added Rothschild.
The attack in West Bloomfield was thwarted by guards at Temple Israel. However, Rothschild said, “no religion should have to employ armed guards” simply to “observe their faith,” and that, “everyone deserves to practice their faith safely.”
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