State Senator Stephanie Chang, a longtime friend, said that since Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked Israel, Ms. Woll had been talking with Jewish and Muslim community leaders about helping civilians on the ground.
She would always, he said, “draw out the best in everybody.”Speaking at the funeral, he noted the diverse crowd in attendance, which he said represented what Ms. Woll was about.
“We have in this room, Muslims and Hindus, Catholics and Christians and Jews and all kinds of races, and everyone loves Sam and was affirmed by Sam,” he said.
Rabbi Ariana Silverman of the Downtown Synagogue spoke about Ms. Woll’s recent work guiding the renovation of the synagogue, her leadership on fund-raising efforts and her openness to other viewpoints.
“She certainly had her own convictions,” Rabbi Silverman said, “but she would really listen to different ideas and had the remarkable ability to say, ‘Let me think about it, and I will get back to you.’”
Persons:
Stephanie Chang, Woll, Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Sam, ”, Rabbi Ariana Silverman, ” Rabbi Silverman, ’
Organizations:
Jewish Community Relations Council
Locations:
Israel, Bloomfield Hills, Mich