A man armed with a rifle drove his vehicle through the entrance of Temple Israel, the largest Reform Jewish center in the United States, in what authorities say appears to have been an attempted attack targeting the building’s Jewish school, which serves hundreds of students.

The suspect opened fire on security personnel and was incredibly shot dead by a security guard before he could reach any children.

What wasn’t widely reported is that this center held a Tanya printing some years ago, which some say contributed to the school’s miraculous protection.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. in West Bloomfield Township, shortly before activities at the building were scheduled to begin. Limited programs were not set to start until after 1:30 p.m., meaning the facility was largely empty at the time.

“It is a clear miracle,” said one local. “The center’s K–12 Jewish school was closed that day, meaning students were not present when the attacker forced his way inside. Had classes been in session or programs already underway, the outcome could have been far more tragic.”

Authorities said the suspect rammed his car through the building’s doors and engaged in a gunfire exchange with security. During the confrontation, something ignited inside the vehicle, and the suspect was later found dead in the car.

A member of the security team was struck by the vehicle and transported to a hospital for treatment. Officials said the exact cause of the suspect’s death has not yet been confirmed, though security personnel fired on him during the incident.

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard credited the security response with preventing what could have been a far greater tragedy.

“Everything that was supposed to happen, happened,” Bouchard said. “Security did their job, and then the responders did theirs.”

He also noted that staff had participated in FBI-led active shooter training just weeks before the attack.

“We’ve been talking for two weeks about the potential, sadly, for this happening,” he said. “So there was no lack of preparation.”

The incident prompted a major emergency response. At least 80 police vehicles from surrounding municipalities responded to the scene, lining Walnut Lake Road for about a mile.

Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined local authorities at the scene. Bomb technicians and K-9 units searched the vehicle for possible explosives while it remained inside the building.

Sheriff Bouchard said that following the attack, all Jewish institutions in the area will receive increased law enforcement presence.

The Jewish Federation of Detroit placed Jewish agencies across the region under precautionary lockdown during the incident and asked community members to stay away from the area. Once the situation was contained, other institutions were allowed to lift lockdown procedures, though a strong security presence remained throughout the community.

In close proximity to Temple Israel are several Chabad houses, with Chabad schools, the Detroit Lubavitch yeshiva, and many other Jewish institutions, shuls, and yeshivos, not far away. Several shluchim told community members they were in contact with local law enforcement and security networks while taking precautionary measures and awaiting further updates.

But what isn’t widely known is that the center hosted a Tanya printing several years ago.

The center has been hosting a Tanya “User’s Guide for the Soul” class, led by the temple’s then-cantor, who had a connection to Chabad. He spearheaded Walled Lake-West Bloomfield Tanya, number 7533, which was created in the center.

The ceremony took place on the eighth night of Chanuka, which organizers said symbolized bringing light into even the darkest places. At the conclusion of the event, participants were encouraged to add one more mitzvah to their lives, as part of a broader effort to bring more holiness into the physical world.

“It could very well be that this Tanya printing contributed to the miraculous protection today,” A.T. told Anash.org.

The public response has been forthcoming.

“This is heartbreaking,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace.”

President Donald Trump was also briefed on the situation, according to the White House.

In response to the incident, police in Washington, D.C. announced they were increasing patrols around Jewish institutions and other houses of worship as a precaution.

“I am relieved to hear that there were no casualties as a result of the attack”, said Israel Preisdent Isaac Herzog. “This is a grave and serious incident that follows a series of attacks on Jewish institutions around the world. Tonight, we send a message of strength and support from Israel to the Jewish community in Michigan.”

“While this is deeply upsetting and traumatic,” said one rabbi, “regardless of whether we know anyone in that community or not, when things like this happen, we deepen our resolve as Jews. That is what history has taught us. That’s part of why we’ve survived as long as we have.”

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