Jews in the Crosshairs: Synagogues, Daycares, Schools {17 Mar 2026}

Click here to read this email as a page in your web browser

STAY INFORMED – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS TO CONSIDER – STORIES MAKING NEWS

The War Comes Home: Jewish Communities Under Attack

An Islamist terrorist rammed a truck filled with fireworks and chemicals into a Michigan synagogue’s main entrance before exchanging gunfire with security. Armed guards at Temple Israel stopped the attacker from reaching his target: more than 100 toddlers and young children who were inside the synagogue’s Early Childhood Center. He killed himself after becoming trapped in the burning vehicle. The attack was designed to cause maximum casualties – specifically young children.

The attempted massacre reveals a harsh reality. Jewish houses of worship increasingly resemble secure facilities – more like Fort Knox than places of prayer. Extremists are seizing on global conflicts thousands of miles away to justify attacks on local Jewish communities, a reality few other religious institutions face. These threats are not theoretical – they are already translating into violence.

No Justification for Attacking Jewish Children

There can be no justification – explicit or implied – for targeting a house of worship, especially one filled with children.

Lebanese immigrant Ayman Muhammad Ghazali intentionally drove dozens of miles from his home in Dearborn Heights past other Michigan synagogues before targeting Temple Israel’s Early Childhood Center. The synagogue, located in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield, is one of the largest Reform synagogues in America, serving 3,500 families. The attacker did not distinguish between political views, party affiliation or levels of observance – he specifically targeted Jews. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer condemned the attack as “hate, plain and simple.”

Two of the attacker’s brothers were members of the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah, which operates freely in Lebanon. Ibrahim Muhammad Ghazali was a commander responsible for launching hundreds of rockets at Israeli civilians. The IDF killed the two brothers in a recent military operation. Hezbollah has recently fired hundreds of rockets at northern Israel at Iran’s request – Iran also supplies most of Hezbollah’s funding.

Some media coverage focused on the attacker’s personal grievances or background. The New York Times referred to the terrorist as a “quiet restaurant worker,” NPR wrote a story on the “grief and fear in a small Lebanese town following the synagogue attack” and a CNN headline claimed that “a truck rammed a Michigan synagogue” – as if the vehicle had acted on its own. Any framing that shifts the focus onto the attacker’s personality obscures the reality of the crime and diminishes the severity of what was intended.

Security Saves Lives

Clergy and staff at a house of worship should not need FBI active-shooter training – yet that is the reality Jewish communities face around the world today. Many Jewish communities intensified their security efforts after a white supremacist murdered 11 Jews at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 – the deadliest attack on Jews in American history.

In an Instagram post on Jan. 29, Temple Israel thanked “the FBI for joining our Security Director Danny Phillips in leading an active shooter prevention and preparedness training for its clergy and staff.” Phillips was the only person injured in the attack. Temple Israel Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny called the attack a “terrifying experience and also a miracle” because trained staff followed security protocols. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard praised the response of the guards and police: “Everything that was supposed to happen, happened. Security did their job, and then the responders did theirs.”

Local Interfaith Response

After the terror attack, the synagogue thanked the police and the Shenandoah Country Club that “welcomed us, fed us and sheltered our staff, teachers, children and parents.” The Catholic organization is located across the road from the synagogue and was founded by the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan. Michigan state rep. Samantha Steckloff praised their assistance: “Thank you to our Chaldean brothers and sisters for such a warm welcoming, and all your love and support.”

Securing Safety: Financial and Emotional Costs

The financial cost – along with the emotional toll – of providing 24/7 protection is enormous. As the Jewish Federations of North America recently emphasized, “$765 million in spending on security for Jewish communities means fewer resources for education, camps and essential programs that cannot be covered by philanthropy alone.” The federal government’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program and state grants provide critical funding to help religious institutions of all faiths improve security. Jewish groups renewed their call for increased federal funding following the car ramming attack.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations declared that “an attack on a synagogue is an assault on the fundamental right to religious freedom and on the ability of Jews to practice their faith openly and securely.” Its statement echoed the words of President George Washington’s 1790 letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, that the “U.S. government would give to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

Worldwide Attacks Target Jews

The Michigan terror attack reflects a broader global trend of recent assaults, including:

Australia: ISIS terrorists murdered 15 at Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration
Netherlands: Jewish school bombed in Amsterdam and synagogue in Rotterdam
Norway: Shooting outside Oslo synagogue

In France, two brothers were recently arrested for planning a “deadly antisemitic” attack while operating a drone inside a car that contained a gun, hydrochloric acid and an Islamic State flag. The young Moroccan-Italian adults “aspired to martyrdom” and one brother had already pledged allegiance to ISIS in a video. In Belgium and Greece, an Iran-backed group claimed responsibility for attacks against Jewish targets.

1. Blaming Jews for conflicts must be condemned

The war in the Middle East is not about Jews in America – and it is never a justification for targeting them. Holding Jews responsible for events thousands of miles away is not political criticism – it is anti-Jewish hatred. Blaming Jews for global problems is a centuries-old form of hate and it must be rejected. The idea that the attempted mass murder of more than 100 children could be explained away is morally indefensible.

2. Jewish communities face extraordinary security threats

Police protection, surveillance systems, controlled access and emergency training are not temporary precautions for Jewish communities – they are ongoing measures designed to prevent the mass murder of Jews. These measures, rarely seen at most other houses of worship, reflect the persistent threat environment facing Jewish communities. Former head of Homeland Security and Intelligence for DC Donell Harvin noted the contrast:

“I’ve worked a lot with houses of worship in DC, and every time I go to a synagogue I’m taken aback by how prepared they are, with armed security that is visible, sometimes law enforcement. This community has been under siege for quite a long time. They’re not new to this.”

3. Security preparedness prevented a larger tragedy in Michigan

Security measures and emergency preparedness played a decisive role in limiting the impact of the Michigan synagogue attack. Armed guards and trained staff responded immediately when the attacker targeted Temple Israel’s early childhood center – where more than 100 young children were present. Preparedness training, security planning and rapid response procedures helped prevent the attack from escalating. The incident illustrates how planning, training and physical security measures can mean the difference between a thwarted attack and a mass casualty event.

4. Federal and state security funding helps protect targeted communities

Federal funds – such as the Nonprofit Security Grant Program – and state grants help religious institutions strengthen physical security and emergency preparedness. While these funds help, Jewish communities are still shouldering enormous security costs to maintain 24/7 protection. Jewish organizations have called for increased funding after recent attacks, stressing that the growing cost of protecting synagogues, schools and community centers places a heavy financial burden on many communities.

5. Violence against Jews is a global threat

Extremists targeting Jewish schools, synagogues and community institutions across Europe show that antisemitic violence is not confined to any single country. These incidents show that Jewish communities often face similar security concerns – reinforcing the need for funding, vigilance and security to protect Jewish communities worldwide. When anti-Jewish hatred is normalized, someone attacks a preschool.

Jewish communities and their allies can take practical steps to strengthen security, remain vigilant and respond effectively to rising antisemitic threats.

Support increased security funding: Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators directly or sign the pre-written Jewish Federations of North America petition, Protect Our Communities: Urge Congress to Strengthen Security for Jewish Institutions. The federal government’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program and state grants provide critical funding to help religious institutions of all faiths improve security.

Review security procedures and stay vigilant: When attending community events indoors or outdoors, stay aware of your surroundings, locate exits and know how to quickly leave the area if needed. Follow instructions from security personnel if an emergency occurs. Extremists often use domestic political disputes and international geopolitical crises as excuses to carry out attacks on Jews. Report threats or suspicious activity to authorities.

Push back against misinformation: False narratives blaming Jews for international events can fuel harassment and violence. Challenge misinformation when it appears in public discourse or online. Share accurate reporting, credible sources and historical context to counter conspiracy theories and antisemitic rhetoric.

Extremes Converging Across Political Parties

Fringe rhetoric once confined to the political margins is increasingly appearing on both the far right and far left. Candidates like Florida Republican gubernatorial hopeful James Fishback – polling at 5% – and Maine Democratic U.S. Sen. candidate Graham Platner – predicted to win the nomination and general election – reflect a broader pattern in which antisemitic, racist and conspiratorial language is gaining traction in different ideological spaces. Their growing visibility and support – especially among younger Gen Z voters – highlight an emerging trend worth watching.

Stories Impacting American Jews

Graffiti at San Jose St. Univ. calls for “Allah to kill all Jews, 5 million minimum, make Osama proud”
NYC Mayor Mamdani met with hand-picked Jewish leaders to discuss concerns – critics fume it’s nothing more than “photo op”
Mamdani attends Friday prayers at Islamic Center linked to Iranian front group, imam prays for “infidels to be killed”

Stories Impacting the U.S. and Israel

ADL condemns Iran-sponsored International Quds Day rallies calling for America, Israel’s destruction, NYC: “USA go to hell!”
Iran maintains strong ties with China, Russia, receives satellite reports on U.S. military movements
Iranian cyberattack causes disruptions at U.S. medical equipment company
Iran fires multiple missile salvos at Israel inflicting injuries and heavy damage to homes
Imams and Islamic centers eulogize Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei: Orlando, Texas, Detroit, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn
From Australia to America: Commemorating Khamenei in Western mosques is part of Iranian influence network
Anti-Israel misinformation during Iran war
Wikipedia editors cite Iranian sources and their proxies to write biased articles
ABC News platforms Iranian regime apologists without challenge
Ten indisputable cases of Hamas abusing the press vest, confirming that many ‘journalists’ were active combatants
Hamas media strategy: Coordinated propaganda network
Children, hospitals and headlines: civilian imagery shapes the narrative of modern war

CLICK BELOW TO ACCESS ADDITIONAL FOCUS PROJECT RESOURCES:

STAY INFORMED

SPEAK UP

TAKE ACTION

Want to Read More of Our Talking Points?

Did you miss a recent edition of The Focus Project? No need to search your inbox. Our most recently published editions are available on our website. Click below to continue reading.

The Focus Project develops and distributes news, background, history and weekly talking points on timely issues to inform individuals and organizations about issues affecting the American Jewish community and Israel, and help readers speak with more consistency and clarity. The editions also provide potential responses for addressing incidents of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. With input from a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations, we focus on that which unites us, rising above political and individual agendas.

Recognizing that hatred of Jews comes in many forms and directions, we strive to address all sources as they arise, and educate our growing audience on topics ranging from inter-religious relations to relevant international developments. From week to week, we may focus on issues arising from the political left, university campuses, from the political right and from institutions, government, and corporations. We don’t try to address all issues in each edition. We hope you will find this information useful in your writing and/or speaking. We are always open to your feedback: info@focus-project.org.