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Dearborn Heights Today
By the People, for the People
Temple Israel Celebrates Passover After Attack
Synagogue community finds renewed meaning in holiday traditions after recent violence
Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:06am
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After a recent attack on their synagogue, the members of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan will celebrate Passover this year with added significance. The temple's preschool was targeted in a violent incident, forcing the community to find alternate locations to hold their traditional Seder dinners. Despite the challenges, Rabbi Joshua Bennett is encouraging congregants to find ways to honor the holiday's themes of freedom and resilience.
Why it matters
The attack on Temple Israel has deeply impacted the local Jewish community, making this year's Passover celebration an important moment for the congregation to come together, process their trauma, and find hope in the holiday's message of liberation. As the temple undergoes repairs, the community is working to restore a sense of normalcy and purpose.
The details
On March 12, a man named Ayman Mohamad Ghazali rammed his truck through the doors of Temple Israel's preschool, where over 100 children were present. Ghazali was armed with a rifle, fireworks, and jugs of gasoline, and was motivated by his support for the terrorist group Hezbollah. The attack resulted in damage that will take 'months and months' to repair, forcing the temple to cancel its traditional communal Seder dinner on the second night of Passover. Instead, Temple Israel members will celebrate the holiday in their own homes or at nearby synagogues that have opened their doors to the community.
- Passover begins the evening of April 1, 2026.
- The attack on Temple Israel occurred on March 12, 2026.
The players
Rabbi Joshua Bennett
The rabbi of Temple Israel, who is encouraging congregants to find renewed meaning in Passover traditions this year.
Ayman Mohamad Ghazali
A 41-year-old man from Dearborn Heights, Michigan who attacked Temple Israel's preschool, motivated by his support for the terrorist group Hezbollah.
What they’re saying
“The Seder has a standard number of things that are on it each year that come from Jewish tradition. But, every year, when modern events happen, we often add an item that represents that particular moment in time.”
— Rabbi Joshua Bennett, Rabbi
“We are very excited to gather together even in our own homes and to be with the people that we love and to be able to figure out a way to survive through the pain and, ultimately, feel a sense of purpose again.”
— Rabbi Joshua Bennett, Rabbi
What’s next
Temple officials are working to arrange alternate space for the preschool classes to gather again, and hope to have an announcement for families in the near future.
The takeaway
This year's Passover celebration at Temple Israel will be a poignant moment for the community to come together, honor their resilience in the face of tragedy, and find renewed meaning in the holiday's themes of freedom and deliverance.
