Westchester first responders, faith leaders react to Michigan temple attack
Police say they got a report Thursday afternoon that a person rammed a car into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
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A violent attack on a Michigan synagogue is sending shockwaves through Westchester.
Local law enforcement agencies, including White Plains police, say they're providing extra patrols around their synagogues.
The announcement comes after police say a Jewish temple in Michigan was attacked on Thursday.
The news has left Myra Clark-Siegel shaken. She's the regional director of AJC Westchester and Fairfield.
"We are tired, we are exhausted, and we need our government officials to speak up," Clark-Siegel says.
Police say they got a report around Thursday afternoon that a person ran a vehicle in Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
They say the suspect also fired a weapon before being confronted by the temple's security team.
Rabbi Arik Wolf calls the scene "tragic."
"It is a reminder that there is a tremendous amount of hate out there," Wolf says.
Police say the suspect died, but no congregants or staff were hurt.
"We could be speaking now about a horrific massacre that could have taken place and it is truly because of their security training," Clark-Siegel says.
Rabbi Wolf says his organization takes every precaution to keep their community safe.
"However, that is not our focus at all...What we focus on is how do we bring a sense of love and togetherness to the people that come to our synagogue, the children that we educate," Wolf says.
As Passover approaches, Wolf says he's encouraging his community to remain firm in their faith.
"The only answer we have to all the hate and the terrorism is to just increase in our kindness, increase in our love and hope that that is contagious," Wolf says.
