AUSTIN, Texas — Jewish houses of worship in Central Texas are on heightened alert following an attack at a synagogue in Michigan on Thursday.

Rabbi Eleanor Steinman, senior rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom, said the attack has been deeply felt within the Jewish community. “It is a very difficult day for everyone, especially for the Jewish community in United States, especially Temple Israel is our sister sibling synagogue in the Detroit area,” Steinman said.

About 1,400 miles from Austin, Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, was the scene of an attack early Tuesday afternoon. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard told reporters the initial call to authorities came in as an active shooter report.

“I believe it came out as an active shooter. Yes,” Bouchard said. Asked about the scene, Bouchard said: “The vehicle’s in the hallway of the building. It’s inside the building, the front hallway. Again, I can’t tell you what he died of until we get a little further.”

Authorities said the attacker exchanged gunfire with security. His car caught fire during the incident, and he died in the attack.

In Austin, Steinman said security has long been a priority at Jewish institutions. “So security is always something in the Jewish community that we hold and take very, very seriously,” she said. At Temple Beth Shalom security measures have been intensified. Officials with Shalom Austin, which runs the complex where Beth Shalom is located, asked that security arrangements not be shown publicly.

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The Austin Police Department said it remains alert but that there are no known threats to the city. In a statement, the department said: “Austin Police (APD) remains vigilant and continues to work closely with our state and federal partners. At this time, there are no known or credible threats to the City of Austin.”

The rabbi said global tensions involving Jewish and Muslim communities are also a concern. “The data shows increased anti, anti Semitic and anti Islamophobic attacks as well as this is the month of Ramadan that we are mindful of, and that as communities of Jewish faith, of Muslim faith, we are aware of world events and the impact it has on people who have evil intentions,” she said.

Austin police said that although there are currently no credible threats, residents should call 911 if they see suspicious activity.