A Detroit synagogue president who was fatally stabbed at her home was remembered Sunday by family, friends and top Michigan officials as a generous, thoughtful leader who built bridges between communities.
While police continued their investigation into a motive, mourners gathered to pay respects to Samantha Woll, or “Sam” as she was known to friends and family. The 40-year-old leader of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue was also politically connected as a campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel and former aide to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin.
“You so deeply wanted peace for this world. You fought for everyone regardless of who they were or where they came from,” said Monica Woll Rosen, directly addressing her late sister before mourners at the Jewish funeral home. “You were the definition of a leader. Our world is shattered without you.”
Police offered no updates Sunday on their investigation into the killing.
A day earlier, Detroit Police Chief James E. White said the killing left many unanswered questions, and he asked the public to be patient as investigators examine all available evidence. He said the department had “mobilized many of its resources and has been leveraging every law enforcement and community resource it has to help further the investigation.”
Authorities said Woll’s body was found at her home Saturday morning after someone called officers to alert them of a person lying on the ground unresponsive.
“While at the scene, police officers observed a trail of blood leading officers to the victim’s residence, which is where the crime is believed to have occurred,” Cpl. Dan Donakowski said.
Woll, who was born and raised in the Detroit area, was a University of Michigan graduate. She became the president of the board of directors at Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in 2022.
Mourners noted the crowd was comprised of people belonging to many different religions, which friends and family said symbolized who Woll was. She was credited for her interfaith work, including by Muslim advocacy groups. Family members said she looked for ways to connect to other movements, including Black Lives Matter.
Colleagues remembered how she loved travel, the arts and had an “infectious smile” that would light up a room. The service included moments of levity about her nature, with jokes about her food allergies and how when she was complimented on something she wore, she would remove it and give it away.
Nessel, who called Woll one of her most enthusiastic supporters, said she had been looking at old photos and marveling at how active she was.
“She was at every campaign event, every political protest, every religious service, every ribbon cutting. I think I saw her in a picture of the moon landing,” Nessel joked. “I don’t know how she could be so many places at the same time.”
The last text message Woll sent was a heart to a friend, according to her sister.
“You sent hearts to cheer people up and let them know you were thinking of them because you cared,” Monica Woll Rosen said, addressing her late sister. “A light has gone out in Detroit, in our hearts, for our people, for the world.”
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