Two Jewish men, 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, both from Crumpsall, died after a man drove into worshippers outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall yesterday (October 2).
Rabbi Yanky Abrams, who has led proceedings at Loughton Synagogue in Borders Lane since 2019, grew up in Manchester and is familiar with the area where the attack took place.
In a statement to the Epping Forest Guardian he said: “We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who were murdered, and we pray for a swift and complete recovery for the injured.
“The terror attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester – my home city – has struck me profoundly. I grew up in Manchester and have known Rabbi Daniel Walker, the Rabbi of Heaton Park Synagogue, for many years. What happened in his synagogue on Yom Kippur is heartbreaking beyond words.
“Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year, a day when Jews everywhere commit to becoming better people and living more purposeful, meaningful lives. That is what makes this act so painful: the sanctity of the day was hijacked by a brutal act of terror. What a disgrace that this took place here in Britain.
“Our response to darkness is to add more light, more goodness, more G-Dliness, more kindness – to a dark world. This tragedy has wounded not only Manchester, but Jews across Britain. Here in Loughton, our community feels this deeply, and much healing is needed. I thank fellow faith leaders and the wider Essex community who have reached out; your solidarity matters and brings hope. I pray ultimately the message of goodness and kindness will prevail over this sheer evil.”
The attack prompted a heightened police presence at synagogues across the country, announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Councillor Louise Mead, chairman of Epping Forest District Council, yesterday wrote to the Lord Mayor of Manchester and asked for flags at Epping’s Civic Offices to remain at half-mast for the rest of the day.
Mr Abrams said the synagogue’s president Phillip Leigh had thanked Essex Police for their prompt action and the kind contact from Epping Forest District Council.
Jihad Al-Shamie, a British national with Syrian heritage, was shot dead at the scene by armed police.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson today said one of the victims of the attack died after apparently being injured by a police gunshot, with full post-mortem examinations scheduled for later today.
Jihad Al-Shamie had not been referred to the Prevent programme, the Home Secretary has confirmed.
Speaking on Sky News, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that he had not previously been referred to the anti-terror programme.
She thanked members of the synagogue in Crumpsall and the police, saying their actions helped save lives.
