Dr. Monica Woll Rosen, Sam’s
sister, was the final speaker before the
building’s dedication was revealed.
“In addition to the numerous
progressive causes Sam fought
actively for,
” she said, “my sister
deeply believed in the revival of the
Downtown Synagogue and Jewish
Detroit in general.
“It was her dream that this
building behind me would serve
as an epicenter for Jewish life in
Detroit. That shared office spaces,
programming and partnerships
would lead to further collaboration
and community building across the
city that she loved.
”
In bright blue, single case letters,
on the face of the Isaac Agree
Downtown Synagogue, it now
states: Samantha Woll Center for
Jewish Detroit. Upon entering the
synagogue, on the first floor, a plaque
memorializes Sam. In part it states,
“In the last years of her life, Sam
was exceptionally devoted to the
Downtown Synagogue, where she
was proudly serving as president
when she was tragically murdered. In
this building we honor her memory,
celebrate her legacy and strive to
continue her work of making our
world a better place.
”
Rabbi Silverman said, “The real
beauty of this space is the way
it enables us to engage a sacred
community and the values we share.
And so we must commit ourselves,
like Sam did, to making the
memories of those we love a blessing
in each moment, to valuing each
person, to pursuing justice and to
believing in big dreams.
”
To learn more about the Isaac Agree
Downtown Synagogue and the Samantha
Woll Center for Jewish Detroit, visit
downtownsynagogue.org.
OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
continued from page 11
Rachel Rudman,
executive director
of IADS
Sam Woll’s family
watches the
ceremony.
12 | SEPTEMBER 12 • 2024