Rabbis on Site After Michigan State University Shooting

By Menachem Levy

Jewish students at Michigan State University (MSU) in Lancing, Michigan, gathered in mourning and prayer following a mass shooting on February 13, 2023, where three fellow students were killed and five others injured.

The gunman, identified as 43-year-old Anthony Dwayne McRae, had a history of mental health challenges, run-ins with police and guns charges. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound when he was confronted by police off campus.

Rabbi Bentzion Shemtov, who directs Chabad on MSU together with his wife, Simi, heard about the shooting as he returned home from giving a class on campus.

When the lockdown on campus finally ended at 11 p.m., he rushed over to the E.W. Sparrow Hospital where he serves as a chaplain to visit victims of the attack who were being treated there.

He was soon joined by Rabbi Yisrael Pinson of Chabad of Downtown Detroit who is also a chaplain. Together, they spoke with distraught families and friends of the victims, many of whom were still waiting to receive word about their loved ones.

“We went from family to family, just talking with them,” Rabbi Shemtov told COLlive.com. “Some of the victims from out of state did not have any family with them, and we were able to be there to support them.”

They then went on to the Jewish fraternity AEPi, where they led the shaken fraternity members in prayer. Students shared their harrowing experiences during the lockdown as they awaited news of the situation. The rabbis then proceeded to campus where they offered support to faculty members and workers, many of whom were still stunned by the events of the past few hours.

The next morning, Rabbi Shemtov headed to the site of the shooting where he offered Jewish students the opportunity to do a Mitzvah. Many took him up on it. One particular student celebrated his Bar Mitzvah by putting on tefillin for the very first time on his way to lay flowers at the site.

At lunchtime, the Chabad at MSU held an open house for students to enjoy fresh matzah-ball soup and snacks as the school canceled classes following the attack. The open house presented an opportunity for students to share their feelings and be consoled in the warm embrace of their Jewish community on campus.

Local grocery stores and food vendors showed their support for the students with a steady flow of deliveries arriving at the Chabad House throughout the day for students to enjoy.

The Shemtovs have dedicated their annual Mega Shabbat in memory of the students who were killed. The event is held at a large venue near campus where hundreds of Jewish students and faculty members join together for an inspiring Shabbos dinner. It is scheduled to take place at the end of March.

“During times like these, we need to uplift and support each other, and the Mega Shabbat is the perfect opportunity to achieve that purpose,” added Rabbi Shemtov.

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