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Vance meets Temple Israel rabbi in Michigan and offers support after attack

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Vice President JD Vance met Temple Israel representatives in Michigan to offer support after a March attack on the suburban Detroit synagogue.
  • Rabbi Jen Lader said the meeting sought support against antisemitism and additional federal security funding through the Jewish American Security Act.
  • Vance’s outreach came as some Michigan Jewish leaders criticized Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and endorsed his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers.

Vice President JD Vance requested a meeting with a rabbi and security officer from Temple Israel, the suburban Detroit synagogue attacked by a terrorist in March. The meeting focused on support for the community and security concerns.

Rabbi Jen Lader told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that Vance did not visit the synagogue itself. He also invited her and the security guard to a rally in Sterling Heights, where he called them out from the podium and said he was “honored” to have them attend.

his support in the wake of the attack on our community

— Temple Israel clergyClergy described the purpose of Vance’s meeting with synagogue representatives.

“This was an important opportunity to ask for the Vice President’s support in the fight against antisemitism, and for additional security funding through the Jewish American Security Act,” Lader said. The bipartisan House bill, introduced this summer, would increase federal funding for Jewish organizations and synagogue security. Lader added that the community had made the same requests to elected officials from both parties.

Vance’s Michigan visit also carried an electoral dimension. He has increased his outreach to Jewish voters ahead of a likely 2028 presidential run, and he sought to contrast himself with Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. El-Sayed had apologized for earlier comments that appeared to describe the temple attack as a response to Israel’s incursion in Lebanon.

honored

— JD VanceVance used the word while recognizing the rabbi and security guard at his Michigan rally.

Some Michigan Jewish leaders have mobilized against El-Sayed, a harsh critic of Israel. More than 400 Jews in the state, including people with prominent community positions, had signed a petition pledging to vote for former Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican candidate.

Later on Monday, Vance traveled to Las Vegas for a closed-door meeting with members of the Republican Jewish Coalition. Attendees said he highlighted his outreach to Temple Israel, though he did not address tensions over his relationship with podcaster Tucker Carlson.

This was an important opportunity to ask for the Vice President’s support in the fight against antisemitism, and for additional security funding through the Jewish American Security Act

— Rabbi Jen LaderLader explained what she sought from Vance during the meeting.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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