An armed assailant held up a rabbi and 20 students during a holiday gathering in Michigan.
Dining to commemorate Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Mendy Klahr along with his guests became victims of an armed robbery at his residence, 40 minutes away from the University of Michigan campus, New York Post reported.
Rabbi Mendy Klahr was hosting a celebration at his home for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year when a young man interrupted the festivities. Armed with a handgun, the assailant, described as an early-20s black male entered the home and demanded valuables under threat.
Although the intruder managed to take only minimal possessions, the intensity of the incident caused significant alarm. The students and Rabbi Klahr managed to exit the premises safely without any gunfire erupting.
Authorities were quick to the scene, and a woman suspected of being associated with the gunman was taken into custody shortly thereafter. The main suspect remains at large, intensifying concerns among the university community and its vicinity.
In response to the incident, the university president, Santa Ono, has confirmed the extension of security measures at Jewish centers around campus. “I spoke directly with students on the scene and reached out to their parents as well," he remarked.
University President Santa Ono described the episode as “horrific,” but he was relieved to report that no physical injuries had occurred. “Fortunately nobody was hurt. Although we are grateful that the Rabbi, his family, and our students are safe, we take the safety of our students very seriously. Enhancements to campus security, particularly at Jewish facilities, will be enforced during the upcoming Yom Kippur and other high holidays,” he added.
The incident aligns uncomfortably with recent acts of violence aimed at Jewish students at the same university, including assaults and vandalism at a Jewish fraternity house just days before. The assailant's demand during the robbery – to hand over all possessions – starkly echoes the terror felt by victims.
The growing frequency of these incidents has catalyzed the "Shmira" project. Leo Gabaron, the spokesperson for the initiative, expressed distress over the need for such measures. "It’s honestly sad that we’ve reached a point where students feel unsafe walking around campus," he stated.
The project involves volunteers accompanying Jewish students around campus to ensure their safety. “We just want the Jewish community to know that people are here for you, and there’s no reason for students to not feel safe,” added Gabaron.
As the Rosh Hashanah incident raises security concerns, the campus and the broader community remain vigilant. The Southfield Police have emphasized that they perceive the act as one of opportunity, but investigations continue to delve deeper into motives, potential connections to previous events, and preventive measures.
Both the community and university administration remain on alert following these unsettling developments, sustaining a protective stance over the student body and particularly the Jewish community.
The Rabbi and his guests, fortunately unharmed, continue their recovery from the traumatic experience, while law enforcement seeks to apprehend the still-at-large suspect and fortify safety protocols against future threats.
In the wake of this troubling event and preceding attacks, the enhanced security measures and the "Shmira" project aim to reestablish a sense of safety and community among Jewish students and their peers on campus.
