The Samantha Woll Center for Jewish Detroit (The Sam)
In Loving Memory of Samantha Woll
June 15, 1983 - October 21, 2023
The Samantha Woll Center for Jewish Detroit honors Samantha Woll, a cherished leader, passionate advocate, and beloved friend. Sam's steadfast commitment to social justice and her tireless efforts to bridge communities left an indelible mark both locally and globally.
Sam's dedication to creating a more inclusive and compassionate society continues to inspire us. She lived a life of meaning and purpose, driven by a strong belief in her Jewish values, the State of Israel, and the City of Detroit.
In the last years of her life, Sam was exceptionally devoted to the Downtown Synagogue, where she was proudly serving as President when she was tragically murdered. In this building we honor her memory, celebrate her legacy, and strive to continue her work of making our world a better place.
May her memory be a blessing.
A New Hub for Jewish Life in Detroit
The Sam represents the next phase of IADS’s growth. In 2024, we completed a $7.5M renovation of our historic downtown Detroit home and named the building the Samantha Woll Center for Jewish Detroit. As part of our strategic plan, adopted in October 2025, and in memory of Sam Woll (z”l), The Sam transforms our revitalized building into a living laboratory for Jewish creativity, civic engagement, and cultural connection. While the synagogue focuses on ritual, lifecycle, pastoral care, and holidays, The Sam takes on civic and cultural programming, collaboration with our partner organizations, and building activation.
Headquartered within IADS but intentionally broader in scope, The Sam is a creative, collaborative space for Jewish culture, identity, and civic engagement - especially for those outside traditional synagogue life. It aims to appeal to Jewish and Jewish-adjacent people interested in thought-provoking discussion around timely ideas. We’re hiring a Director of The Sam to bring vision, creativity, and relational leadership to shape this new hub: building relationships across the Jewish and civic landscape, cultivating new audiences, and ensuring that The Sam reaches people who may not yet see themselves reflected in Jewish community life. They will build partnerships, develop meaningful programming, and foster a welcoming environment that invites participation. Learn more and apply here.