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