East Brunswick Boosts Patrols At Jewish Houses Of Worship After Michigan Synagogue Attack

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — In the wake of a terrorist attack on a synagogue in the Detroit suburbs, East Brunswick officials are assuring local Jewish residents that law enforcement has increased patrols at houses of worship and is working in coordination with state, county, and federal counter-terrorism units.

A suspect rammed a car into Temple Israel, a synagogue containing a school in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan — about 25 miles northwest of Detroit — on Thursday. The suspect, who was armed with a rifle, was shot and killed by synagogue security personnel, according to federal law enforcement officials.

Mayor Brad Cohen addressed the community Friday in a public statement, saying residents — particularly those in the Jewish community — should know their houses of worship are being protected.

"I know everybody might be a little bit apprehensive regarding the events that just took place yesterday in the suburbs of Detroit, with the terrorist activity and the attack on a Jewish house of worship yet again," Cohen said.

"Nobody in our communities, whether it's East Brunswick, the state or our country, should ever be fearful of being able to celebrate their religion freely."

Cohen said local authorities are also aware of threats made against Jewish houses of worship closer to home, though none were found to be credible.

"I'm also aware of folks who had reported threats to houses of worship in the Jewish community, even more locally," Cohen said. "Fortunately, none of them turned out to materialize to be anything of a serious threat, but it still leaves residents fearful of being able to practice their own religion."

Residents may not see a visible police presence, but protection is in place.

"You may not necessarily see a police officer in a uniform or a car that you could identify as a police officer, but they are going on increased patrols regularly," the mayor said. "We are keenly aware of the height and state of alert given what's going on in the world right now."

The Mayor also stressed that the East Brunswick Police Department coordinates with counter-terrorism units at the local, county, state, and federal levels.

Residents were urged to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to police — but not to intervene themselves.

"If you see something that doesn't look appropriate, please don't take matters into your own hands," he said. "Report it to the East Brunswick police department to the appropriate authorities so that they could take those investigations and handle them for you."

The attack in Michigan comes amid a broader surge in antisemitism globally, according to the Anti-Defamation League, and against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A consortium of U.S. Jewish organizations had urged communities across North America to maintain heightened security measures.

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