Deadly Terror at UK Syngaogue
These are the two men slain in Manchester Synagogue yesterday
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis responded to the deadly Yom Kippur terror attack at Manchester’s Heaton Park Synagogue with a statement of grief and defiance. He described the assault as the culmination of a long-rising tide of antisemitism in Britain and beyond, framing it not only as a strike against Jews but against shared human values.
British police have released the names of the two victims killed in the ramming and stabbing attack carried out during Yom Kippur outside a synagogue in Manchester: Adrian Daoulby, aged 53, and Melvin Cravitz, aged 66.
Four other individuals were injured in the attack, three of whom are in serious condition, including a synagogue security guard who confronted the terrorist.The attack took place last night at the Heaton Park Synagogue in the Crumpsall suburb, considered the center of the Jewish community in the city.
Approximately half an hour after the start of Yom Kippur prayers at the synagogue, the terrorist, Jihad al-Shami, drove his vehicle into a crowd gathered outside the premises. He then exited the vehicle and began stabbing worshippers. Eyewitnesses claimed that all those attacked were Jewish individuals wearing kippahs.
The terrorist attempted to force his way into the synagogue but was stopped by the security guard at the entrance, who was seriously injured as a result.
The terrorist was ultimately neutralized by police.
British media reported that the synagogue’s rabbi, Daniel Walker, locked the facility’s door and physically blocked the entrance, preventing the terrorist from entering and continuing the attack.
UK's Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis responded to the tragedy:
Our hearts are shattered.
Emerging from the holy fast of Yom Kippur, British Jews are now grasping the full extent of today’s terror attack at the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.
This is the day we hoped we would never see, but which deep down, we knew would come.
For so long we have witnessed an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred on our streets, on campuses, on social media and elsewhere, this is the tragic result.
This not only an assault on the Jewish community, but an attack on the very foundations of humanity and the values of compassion, dignity and respect which we all share.
I have spoken this evening to Rabbi Daniel Walker, the spiritual leader of the Heaton Park Synagogue. His courageous leadership, together with the resilience of his congregation, are an inspiration to us all.
May the victims’ memories be for a blessing and may the injured be granted a swift recovery.
I pray that this tragedy strengthens our collective resolve to confront antisemitism, in all its guises, once and for all.