The images are striking in their stillness: a faint hint of sunlight at the end of a hallway blackened with debris, children’s classrooms disrupted but not erased, class photographs warped from the fire, a sanctuary bearing the weight of what happened within it.

These new photos released Thursday by Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, were taken by a trusted friend as a way for the synagogue to tell its own story.

“We share these images because our community deserves to see our building through eyes of love, not through the lens of spectacle,” the temple said in a statement on Facebook. “This is our sacred space, and we will be the ones to tell its story.”

More than 100 children, all under the age of 5, were inside at the time and were not physically injured in the March 12 attack, authorities said. The driver, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, died at the scene after exchanging gunfire with security and ultimately fatally shooting himself.

Emily Elconin, who captured the images, says she grew up about 3 miles from Temple Israel. “Several of my cousins had their bar and bat mitzvahs there, and I attended many services and celebrations at the temple while growing up,” Elconin said. “Last year, I worked closely with Rabbi Jen Lader while documenting the Women’s Rabbinic Convention. She was already familiar with my work and my approach to visual storytelling, and I was grateful for the trust she placed in me to document these moments.”

Extensive damage is seen at the entrance where an attacker drove his vehicle into the building next to the early childhood center.
Extensive damage is seen at the entrance where an attacker drove his vehicle into the building next to the early childhood center.
Emily Elconin
Confirmation and graduation photos are scorched in the hallway where the attacker drove through.
Confirmation and graduation photos are scorched in the hallway where the attacker drove through.
Emily Elconin
Lunches are left behind by children inside a classroom.
Lunches are left behind by children inside a classroom.
Emily Elconin
Shattered glass on a door inside the office area at Temple Israel.
Shattered glass on a door inside the office area at Temple Israel.
Emily Elconin
Classroom artwork sits on the ground next to shattered glass inside the early childhood care center.
Classroom artwork sits on the ground next to shattered glass inside the early childhood care center.
Emily Elconin
A damaged stroller is seen next to the hallway where the attacker drove his vehicle into the building.
A damaged stroller is seen next to the hallway where the attacker drove his vehicle into the building.
Emily Elconin
Tables inside a classroom are flipped over.
Tables inside a classroom are flipped over.
Emily Elconin
The charred hallway at Temple Israel.
The charred hallway at Temple Israel.
Emily Elconin