| | | Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll found dead outside her home
Violet Ikonomova
Detroit Free Press
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A politically connected Detroit synagogue president was found stabbed dead this morning outside her home in the city’s Lafayette Park neighborhood, east of downtown.
Samantha Woll, 40, led the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue and previously worked for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and on the re-election campaign of Attorney General Dana Nessel, both Democrats.
Police said in an afternoon statement that they were investigating after finding a body stabbed multiple times in the 1300 block of Joliet Place. A trail of blood led to the victim's home, where police said they believe the crime occurred.
“I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s brutal murder,” Nessel said in a statement. “Sam was as kind a person as I’ve ever known. She was driven by her sincere love of her community, state and country. Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said he was "devastated" by the loss of "one of Detroit’s great young leaders."
"Just weeks ago, I shared a day of joy with Sam at the dedication of the newly renovated Downtown Synagogue," he said. "It was a project she successfully led with great pride and enthusiasm."
Woll had led the synagogue since 2022 and was involved in other local Jewish organizations. A statement sent by its rabbi said it was "shocked and saddened," by Woll's "unexpected death."
"At this point we do not have more information, but will share more when it becomes available. May her memory be a blessing."
Police have not yet identified a motive, they said. They were called to a woman found lying on the ground unresponsive around 6:30 a.m. and pronounced her dead at the scene, they said.
As of Saturday afternoon, police were still in the area where Woll was killed -- an upscale townhome district designed by the famed architect, Mies van der Rohe. The adjoined properties were surrounded by caution tape and Michigan State Police K-9 was sniffing around bushes.
Woll spent much of her career in state politics, working or managing the campaigns of Nessel, state Sen. Stephanie Chang, and Denzel McCambell, a staffer for U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib who ran for city clerk.
For Chang, Woll was not only a colleague, but a friend. The two had attended a wedding together the night before Woll's body was found.
They met as students at the University of Michigan more than 15 years ago. Woll had since worked on all of Chang's campaigns in some capacity, the state legislator said.
"A lot of good" things were happening in Woll's life, Chang said. In addition to leading the reopening of the downtown synagogue, she was poised to get a new job.
"She was endlessly positive, just a wonderful person who was doing so much good and could bring so much happiness and joy," Chang said. "She did not deserve this."
Woll worked for Slotkin as a deputy district manager from 2019 through 2021, a role that "came so naturally to her," Slotkin said, because it involved helping others.
"In politics & in the Jewish community, she dedicated her short life to building understanding across faiths, bringing light in the face of darkness," the Congresswoman said on X, formerly Twitter. "I'll miss her relentless desire to serve & her bright smile seemingly everywhere across the Detroit area."
In 2017, The Detroit Jewish News selected Woll as one of its "36 under 36," describing her as co-chair of the American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS Detroit Young Leadership Program and founder of the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit, a grassroots organization aimed to build relationships between young adults of those faiths.
"By extending her hand and creating space for connection between Muslims and Jews, she has exemplified the values of healing the world," The Detroit Jewish News article said.
Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll found dead outside home (freep.com) |
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