The Samantha Woll Dialogues was established in memory of Samantha Woll, who was tragically murdered in October 2023 at the age of 40 in Detroit, Michigan.
Sam was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan, where she distinguished herself as a passionate community leader from the beginning. She was a committed grassroots organizer, spearheading advocacy programs and events focused on women’s rights, fair trade, labor rights, civil rights, refugee rights, the state of Israel and more. If there was a march or protest she believed in, you could count on Sam to be there with her sign held high and her voice strong.
During her time at U of M, Sam served in the Michigan Student Assembly, contributed as a news and editorial staff writer for the Michigan Daily and represented students as the University of Michigan’s delegate to the Ann Arbor City Council. Her greatest impact, however, was felt through her unwavering dedication to building bridges across religious, ethnic, political, and community groups. Notably, she published “Getting Along in the Middle East” in Michigan Today as a college Junior, reflecting her dedication to building understanding across divides.
After graduation, Sam became heavily involved in local, state, and national politics, serving on the campaigns of Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, Elissa Slotkin, Dana Nessel, and Stephanie Chang. At the time of her passing, she was serving as president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, a revitalized Jewish congregation in the heart of Detroit. Sam’s influence, however, extended well beyond her own faith. She used her remarkable ability to listen and to unite individuals of diverse backgrounds and beliefs, when she founded the Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit in 2015.
In short, Sam was truly an inspirational force, fervently advocating for inclusivity, always looking for the good in everyone and providing an unwavering voice for the most vulnerable and marginalized in society. She was the embodiment of “tikkun olum” – making the world a better place and pursuing justice for all through tireless engagement. Our hope is that The Samantha Woll Dialogues will carry forward her legacy by championing her values of tolerance, compassion, generosity and humanity.
