Richmond rabbi calls for peace after hate crime attack on Michigan synagogue

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond Jewish leader is giving his reaction to the hate crime attack at a Michigan synagogue.

On Thursday March 12, a man rammed a truck through the front doors of "Temple Israel" synagogue in Michigan. The man drove down the hallway and exchanged gunfire with security guards.

140 young children inside the building when the attack happened. They were evacuated and none of them were hurt.

Officials said the attacker became a naturalized citizen in 2016 -- and recently posted on social media about his relatives being killed during Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. An official in Lebanon confirmed the attacker's two brothers and young niece and nephew were all killed on March 5.

Rabbi Dovid Asher of Keneseth Beth Israel synagogue said acts of hatred and fear like the one in Michigan are very unfortunate.

“There is so much polarization and hatred, and there's also a wave of violence with lots of guns and weapons and that's when minorities like the Jewish community tend to get hurt the most,” Asher said.

Rabbi Asher said he’s been in constant communication with houses of worship across river city for ideas, support and additional security.

“The Jewish community in Richmond has banded together, and we have also connections and resources nationally," he said.

He hopes neighboring communities can help as much as possible and will continue to persevere during these difficult times.

“We're strong, we are resilient and we're not going anywhere,” said Asher. “We need allies and we need people, to, to stand up to hatred and online, allies, about the Jewish community, about Israel, you know, to try to speak truth to power."