No evidence to suggest anti-Semitic hate in stabbing slay of ‘beloved’ synagogue leader Samantha Woll, Detroit PD says, as community reeling

The Jewish community in Detroit was reeling Sunday after the fatal stabbing of local synagogue leader Samantha Woll, who was described at her funeral as a kind, selfless woman devoted to her family and her faith – with one person calling her “most beloved person in Detroit.”

Detroit Police Chief James E. White said in an email that while cops are investigating, there is no evidence so far to suggest that the 40-year-old politically-connected activist’s murder was motivated by anti-Semitism.

At her Sunday funeral, family and friends remembered Woll as a lovely soul with a sparkling smile who always tried to help those around her.

“You were the kindest, most generous human I’ve ever met,” her sister, Monica, said at the heartbreaking ceremony. “If someone complimented something of yours, you took it off and gave it to them.”

“There is nothing you wouldn’t do for your family and friends,” she continued. “Your soul was beautiful and pure. You loved with all your heart. You never said no – but, ‘How can I help?’”

“This was not supposed to happen,” she said. “A light has gone out in Detroit, in our hearts, for our people, for the world.”

Detroit police found Woll’s body at about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday when they responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive person outside her home in the city’s Lafayette Park neighborhood, according to several reports.

They also found a trail of blood that led from the suspected crime scene to her residence, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Police had not announced any arrests as of Sunday or given any motive for why anyone would have wanted to kill Woll.

Authorities have warned the public not to jump to conclusions — despite the politically-charged atmosphere created by the burgeoning war between Israel and Palestine.

“I again ask the community to remain patient while our investigators and law enforcement partners continue their work,” White said in the statement on Sunday. “Everything that can be done to bring this matter to closure is being called into service. 

The Michigan chapter of the Anti-Defamation League has also asked the public to “refrain from speculation” until more information is available.

Woll had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue since 2022 and previously worked for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and on the re-election campaign of Attorney General Dana Nessel, both Democrats, the Free Press reported.

“She was an incredible, loving, sweet, caring powerhouse of a person,” Rabbi Asher Lopatin, a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council in Detroit, told The Post on Sunday.

Lopatin worked with Woll for five years, and called her a “proud Jewish woman” and tireless advocate for Israel.

“She was a staple of not just the Jewish community, but of our interfaith community and Detroit,” he said. “I was in utter shock and disbelief when I heard the news … How could something like this happen to the most beloved person in Detroit?” 

At her funeral, Ariana Silverman, Woll’s rabbi, said Woll was always ready to grab a chair, greet a newcomer or chant Torah.

“When I would thank her … she would reply, ‘Thank you for the honor,’” Silverman said, calling Woll an integral part of the community.

“Her priority was to engage with people,” Silverman said. “Sam had an amazing willingness to listen carefully to each and every person with whom she spoke.”

“She certainly had her own convictions, but she would really listen to different ideas,” Silverman continued. “And she had the remarkable ability to say, ‘Let me think about it, and I will get back to you.’”

Michigan State Sen. Stephanie Chang went to college with Woll, whom she remembered as an “endlessly positive” person with a big heart, a beautiful smile and a deep, abiding love for her family, her faith and Detroit.

“She was really passionate about social justice and equity — just so smart, really creative, an amazing supportive friend,” Chang told LiveNOW from FOX, adding that Woll worked as her campaign manager during her most recent election.

“She really knew how to make everyone feel included and valued,” Chang said. “She was really a friend to so many people … just constantly doing everything she could to make a difference for people.”

Chang said she sat next to Woll at a mutual friend’s wedding the night before she died — and Woll didn’t seem perturbed in any way.

“She was happy, she was having fun,” Chang said. “My last memories of her will always be really happy and positive.”

Woll had just spearheaded a massive renovation at her synagogue, Chang said.

Now, that new building will likely be her legacy.

“Honestly, the most lasting impact is going to be … represented by what that space is,” Chang said. “It’s a gathering place, a community space — not just for Jews, but also for Detroiters, for the community.”

“She made an impact on every single one of us by constantly making a difference for her community,” Chang said. “And really just all of her passion for making a difference for everyone.”