Michigan

August 30, 2026, 8:09 pm

Abdul El-Sayed and Jamie Raskin sidestep Hasan Piker, and Israel, in Michigan campaign stops

The Senate candidate and a prominent Jewish House Democrat seek to move beyond the streamer’s latest remarks about American Jews.

By Andrew Lapin

Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed addresses the state's Jewish Democratic Caucus during the party's nominating convention in Lansing, Mich., Aug. 29, 2026. During the meeting, El-Sayed apologized for earlier comments he had made about an attack on a synagogue in the state, in which he had said, "Hurt people hurt people." (Andrew Lapin/JTA)

August 30, 2026, 7:33 pm

Abdul El-Sayed apologizes for his past Temple Israel comments in meeting with state’s Jewish Dem caucus

“I made a mistake,” the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee said about his earlier remarks on the synagogue attack.

By Andrew Lapin

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers, at left, looks on as Rabbi Asher Lopatin, the former director of Community Relations at the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, speaks in support of his campaign in Detroit, Michigan, Aug. 20, 2026. (Screenshot via YouTube)

August 25, 2026, 1:31 pm

In the Michigan Senate race, will anyone take AIPAC’s money?

Reports say the GOP candidate would like the pro-Israel lobby to refrain from direct spending on his campaign against the progressive Democrat.

By Andrew Lapin

Early results are broadcast at a primary night watch party for U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens at the Hotel Saint Regis Detroit on August 4, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

August 5, 2026, 7:33 pm

El-Sayed’s narrow Michigan win sets up a reckoning among Jewish Democrats

Jews who backed Rep. Haley Stevens are weighing whether they can support an avowed critic of Israel, though some find solace in his razor-thin victory.

By Grace Gilson

Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks in Detroit after a radio appearance on Dr. Horace Sheffield's GOTV Community Rally on August 01, 2026. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)

August 5, 2026, 7:23 pm

El-Sayed decried AIPAC. Now he hopes to win over pro-Israel Democrats.

El-Sayed devoted a chunk of his primary victory speech to promising Michigan’s Jews that he cared about their safety.

By Ron Kampeas

Michigan Democratic Senate primary candidates Abdul El-Sayed (L) and Haley Stevens (R). (Finn Gomez/Getty Images/JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP via Getty Images)

August 5, 2026, 7:13 pm

Staunch Israel critic El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary

The closely watched Democratic race tested the party’s divisions over the Jewish state.

By Grace Gilson and Andrew Lapin

Abdul El-Sayed campaigns for the U.S. Senate at the Michigan Democratic Nominating Convention in Detroit, Michigan, April 19, 2026. (Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

July 20, 2026, 11:58 am

How Michigan’s Senate race is testing pro-Israel Jews’ loyalty to the Democratic Party

Some Jewish communal leaders in the state say they would vote, or fundraise, for Mike Rogers if the strident Israel critic beats Haley Stevens.

By Andrew Lapin

Amir Makled, a pro-Palestinian candidate for University of Michigan board of regents, addresses the crowd at a rally for U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Ann Arbor, April 7, 2026. Makled, who had praised Hezbollah's leader in a past social media post, bested Jewish incumbent regent Jordan Acker for the state Democratic Party nomination later that month. (Andrew Lapin/JTA)

April 21, 2026, 2:52 pm

Michigan Democrats back pro-Palestinian candidate for university board, sidelining pro-Israel Jewish incumbent

Amir Makled won the backing despite social media posts that praised Hezbollah and included antisemitic memes.

By Andrew Lapin

April 21, 2026, 12:24 pm

Michigan Democrats nominate Eli Savit, progressive Jewish prosecutor, for state attorney general

The nominating convention also saw deep divides over Israel.

By Andrew Lapin

Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul el-Sayed greets supporters at a rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 7, 2026. The rally also featured Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who has been accused of antisemitism. (Andrew Lapin/JTA)

April 13, 2026, 11:59 am

Temple Israel rabbi criticizes Michigan Senate candidate for ‘offensive’ remarks about attack

Abdul El-Sayed’s response to the attack had mentioned Israel’s war in Lebanon.

By Andrew Lapin

Israeli flags were planted on the lawn of the Harvard Divinity School as campus protests continue on October 25, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

March 24, 2026, 5:40 pm

Sheriff who responded to Temple Israel attack faces online backlash

Social media pounced when Mike Bouchard said a man had been arrested after posting an antisemitic meme.

By Grace Gilson

Temple Israel (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)

March 16, 2026, 12:19 pm

Israel says slain brother of Michigan synagogue attacker was a Hezbollah commander

Police said Ayman Ghazali died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after ramming his vehicle into Temple Israel.

By Philissa Cramer

Law enforcement remain on site at the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, a Detroit suburb, on March 12, 2026, after an assailant drove a vehicle into the building. (Photo by Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images)

March 13, 2026, 11:27 am

Suspect in Michigan synagogue attack identified as Ayman Ghazali, an immigrant from Lebanon

Members of Ghazali’s family were recently killed “in an Israeli attack on their home,” the mayor of Ghazali’s town said.

By Philissa Cramer

March 12, 2026, 7:21 pm

Suspect dead after car crash, shooting at Detroit-area Reform temple

The director of security at Temple Israel was injured in the attack, the Reform congregation said.

By JNS Staff and Mike Wagenheim

Police Tape. (Credit: Matt Gush/Shutterstock)

March 12, 2026, 2:23 pm

Car crash, shooting reported at Detroit-area Reform temple, largest in North America

No injuries have been reported yet after a person reportedly crashed a truck and opened fire at Temple Israel.

By JNS Staff