BLOOMFIELD TWP, Mich. (FOX A2) – The Jewish Federation of Detroit reports that it was targeted in antisemitic vandalism on Monday, just a few days after more than 100 families in West Bloomfield Township and Farmington Hills woke up to find antisemitic material tossed at their front door.

The Max Fisher Federation building on Telegraph Road near Maple was targeted with messages of “Free Palestine”, “Intifada”, and “f*** Israel”. 

Gary Torgow, President, Jewish Federation of Detroit Steven Ingber, CEO, Jewish Federation of Detroit issued a statement saying that the timing of the messages was intentionally lined up with the one year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel.

“We are deeply disturbed and saddened to report that early this morning the offices of the Jewish Federation of Detroit were the target of antisemitic vandalism. This attack, occurring on the anniversary of the October 7 massacre in Israel, was not only an assault on our physical space but also on the heart of our community. It is a stark reminder of the rising tide of hate affecting the Jewish people, here and around the world,” the statement read. “We unequivocally condemn this cowardly act of vandalism and stand firm in our resolve. It will not deter us from our vital mission to support the people of Israel, combat antisemitism, and foster a strong Jewish future. In the face of these challenges, we remain united and resilient, committed to defending our values and protecting our community.”

The spray painting was discovered Monday morning just after families nearby found hateful messages on their front lawns in Farmington Hills and Bloomfield Hills. Those antisemitic messages were inside bags with some kind of pellets that were tossed on the front lawns of homes overnight Friday into Saturday. 

“The timing of this detestable activity exacerbates the chilling effect on our community,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King. “This type of hateful activity will not be tolerated in Farmington Hills and our agency will use all available resources to prevent, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for this incident.”

Detroit — Detroit police officials have launched a unit dedicated to helping victims of violent crime and their families by providing information about their cases and emotional support.

The Family Advocate and Manager Liaison for Engagement (FAMLE) Unit will connect violent crime victims and their relatives to services, said Detroit police Chief James White. The unit will consist of sworn and civilian Detroit Police Department employees.

“Our investigators do a great job at balancing their work to find those responsible for crimes and communicating updates with families,” White said in a statement. “It’s a difficult task, and to support them and our families, we are centralizing the resources we have to offer under one unit. FAMLE will refocus our efforts to engage and inform victims’ families as we work to bring them closure.”

According to a DPD news release, the new unit’s mission “is to offer compassionate advocacy, guidance and resources to families impacted by violent crime. Through this effort, we will ensure that the voices of affected families are heard and their needs met throughout the investigative process.”

“FAMLE seeks to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the community by promoting transparency, empathy and a commitment to justice, all while providing crucial emotional and informational support to families during times of crisis,” the department said.

The FAMLE unit can be reached at (313) 596-2260.

ghunter@detroitnews.com

(313) 222-2134

@GeorgeHunter_DN