OU Advocacy Statement on Michigan Synagogue Shooting

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Orthodox Union Advocacy Center (OUA), the public policy arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, issued the following statement in response to the attack upon Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Mich.

“The attack on Temple Israel is just the latest, terrifying reminder that antisemitism is an active threat to American Jews in 2026, and more needs to be done to keep Jewish institutions and their members safe,” said OUA Executive Director Nathan Diament. “We are deeply grateful for the brave action of the synagogue’s security guard, the local police, and other first responders.

“Currently, federal funds for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) are held up in the political stalemate over the Department of Homeland Security funding bill. NSGP makes it possible for Jewish schools and synagogues to harden physical security and hire and train private security guards.

“Press reports indicate that the synagogue’s private security engaged with and disabled the shooter. This kind of security is crucial in this age of rising antisemitism, and the cost should not be borne exclusively by the Jewish community.

“We need Congress and the Trump Administration to act with urgency to find an immediate way to deliver $500 million in funding to NSGP and protect the American Jewish community’s synagogues and parochial schools, as well as the houses of worship of other American faith communities. We don’t care if it’s done through the DHS funding bill or some other way; it simply needs to get done.”

###