The Jewish community in Detroit was reeling Sunday after the fatal stabbing of synagogue leader Samantha Woll, who was described by a friend and coworker as the “most beloved person in Detroit.”
“She was an incredible, loving, sweet, caring powerhouse of a person,” Rabbi Asher Lopatin said of Woll, 40, who was found dead Saturday morning outside her home in the city’s Lafayette Park neighborhood.
Cops as of Sunday had not announced any arrests or given a potential motive for why anyone would want to kill the politically connected activist.
Lopatin — a member of the Jewish Community Relations Council in Detroit — worked for five years with Woll, whom he called a “proud Jewish woman” and tireless advocate for Israel.
“She was a staple of not just the Jewish community, but of our interfaith community and Detroit,” he told The Post on Sunday. “I was in utter shock and disbelief when I heard the news.”
“How could something like this happen to the most beloved person in Detroit?”
Detroit police found Woll’s body when they responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive person outside a Joliet Place home at about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, according to several reports.
They also found a trail of blood that led from the suspected crime scene to Woll’s home, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Woll had led the Isaac Agree Downtown Detroit Synagogue since 2022 and previously worked for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and on the re-election campaign of Attorney General Dana Nessel, both Democrats, the Free Press reported.
Authorities have warned the public not to jump to conclusions — despite the politically-charged environment created by the burgeoning war between Israel and Palestine.
“Understandably, this crime leaves many unanswered questions,” Detroit Police Chief James E. White said Saturday night.
“This matter is under investigation, and I am asking that everyone remain patient while investigators carefully examine every aspect of the available evidence,” White said in a statement. “It is important that no conclusions be drawn until all of the available facts are reviewed.”
The Michigan chapter of the Anti-Defamation League has also asked the public to “refrain from speculation” until more information is available.
The Detroit Police Department did not respond to a request for comment Sunday.
Michigan state Sen. Stephanie Chang went to college with Woll, whom she remembered as an “endlessly positive” person with a big heart, a beautiful smile and a deep, abiding love for her family, her faith and Detroit.
“She was really passionate about social justice and equity — just so smart, really creative, an amazing supportive friend,” Chang told LiveNOW from FOX, adding that Woll worked as her campaign manager during her most recent election.
“She really knew how to make everyone feel included and valued,” Chang said. “She was really a friend to so many people … just constantly doing everything she could to make a difference for people.”
Chang said she sat next to Woll at a mutual friend’s wedding the night before she died — and Woll didn’t seem perturbed in any way.
“She was happy, she was having fun,” Chang said. “My last memories of her will always be really happy and positive.”
Woll had just spearheaded a massive renovation at her synagogue, Chang said.
Now, that new building will likely be her legacy.
“Honestly, the most lasting impact is going to be … represented by what that space is,” Chang said. “It’s a gathering place, a community space — not just for Jews, but also for Detroiters, for the community.”
“She made an impact on every single one of us by constantly making a difference for her community,” Chang said. “And really just all of her passion for making a difference for everyone.”
