Samantha Woll, a Detroit synagogue president, was found stabbed to death outside her home on Saturday morning, police reported.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Samantha Woll, our Board President,” wrote the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in a statement on Facebook. "At this point we do not have more information, but will share more when it becomes available. May her memory be a blessing."
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Police said they responded to the 1300 block of Joliet Place around 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, where they discovered Woll’s body, which had been stabbed multiple times. An investigation is underway and the motive for the killing has not yet been determined.
Woll, 40, led the Isaac Agree Downtown synagogue since 2022. Woll helped lead the American Jewish Committee's ACCESS Detroit Young Leadership Program and created the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit, according to The Detroit Jewish News, when she made the ouelet's "36 under 36," in 2017.
She previously worked for Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) from 2019 through 2021 as deputy district director. Woll also assisted with Attorney General Dana Nessel’s reelection campaign in 2022.
Slotkin mourned the loss of her former colleague on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “My heart aches that we have lost someone so dedicated to serving others in such a senseless act. I’ll miss her relentless desire to serve & her bright smile seemingly everywhere across the Detroit area. Team Slotkin shares in the deep grief of her family & her greater community.”
I and all of Team Slotkin is heartbroken at this news. Sam worked for me from nearly the moment I became a Congresswoman, helping us set up the office & helping to lead it for my full first term. https://t.co/BisT7N6cAa
— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) October 21, 2023
Nessel shared a photo of the two on X, writing a heartfelt message after learning of Woll’s passing: “I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s brutal murder. Sam was as kind a person as I’ve ever known. She was driven by her sincere love of her community, state and country. Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone.”
I am shocked, saddened and horrified to learn of Sam’s brutal murder. Sam was as kind a person as I’ve ever known. She was driven by her sincere love of her community, state and country. Sam truly used her faith and activism to create a better place for everyone. pic.twitter.com/gIYRP4USaj
— Dana Nessel (@dananessel) October 21, 2023
Democratic Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said Woll’s death “left a huge hole in the Detroit community.”
“I was devastated today to learn of the loss of one of Detroit’s great young leaders - Samantha Woll,” Duggan said on X. “Just weeks ago, I shared a day of joy with Sam at the dedication of the newly renovated Downtown Synagogue. It was a project she successfully led with great pride and enthusiasm.”
I was devastated today to learn of the loss of one of Detroit’s great young leaders - Samantha Woll.
— Mayor Mike Duggan (@MayorMikeDuggan) October 21, 2023
Just weeks ago, I shared a day of joy with Sam at the dedication of the newly renovated Downtown Synagogue. It was a project she successfully led with great pride and enthusiasm.
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Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) express his condolences and sadness to learn about the death of the prominent Detroit community member, calling to "focus on our humanity and look to love one another."
I am sick to my stomach to hear about the stabbing death of Detroit synagogue president Samantha Woll.
— Rep. Jamaal Bowman Ed.D. (@JamaalBowmanNY) October 21, 2023
She was only 40 years old.
Woll led the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue since 2022 and was very involved in Democrat politics.
According to the news outlet, Woll… pic.twitter.com/J0LLrrs6oJ
"As they investigate this horrific crime, I reiterate my call that we MUST focus on our humanity and look to love one another," Bowman wrote on X. "Enough suffering. May her memory be a blessing."