Jewish community in harder position than immediately after synagogue attack, says rabbi

The Jewish community at a synagogue where two men were killed in 2025 feels less safe now than it did immediately after the attack, its rabbi has said almost one year on.

Rabbi Daniel Walker said rising antisemitism, combined with a lack of action to "deal with core problems", had left many members of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester – and British Jews more widely – feeling increasingly vulnerable as the anniversary of the attack approaches.

"I think we're actually almost in a harder position than we were even immediately after the attack," he said ahead of a memorial service for the victims and survivors which will take place later today.

"I think the sense of vulnerability has grown. It hasn't diminished."

Two men, Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, were killed and three others were injured as they tried to defend their synagogue from attacker Jihad al-Shamie on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, on 2 October 2025.

A wave of worldwide attacks followed over subsequent months.

In Sydney, Australia, 15 people were killed in a shooting at a celebration for the festival of Chanukah on Bondi Beach.

In London, Jewish people and property were targeted in arson attacks, including in March on ambulances belonging to the Hatzola emergency medical service.

In April, two orthodox Jewish men were stabbed as they left morning prayers in Golders Green.

A BBC Freedom of Information request to police forces in England and Wales has found that across 33 forces, violent hate crimes targeting Jewish people – such as harassment and assault – have risen by nearly two thirds since 2022.

For the Heaton Park congregation, Rabbi Walker said a "year of difficulty and of grief and of pain" had been made even harder by the attacks elsewhere.

"Something has gone seriously wrong in our society," he said.

"I think we're dealing with symptoms. We're extremely grateful for the increased security, but I don't think there's really any evidence of anyone dealing with the core problems.

"And on the contrary, in many ways, those may have become worse over the last months."

Angela Rayner told the BBC the government would "not allow hatred to drive people from their communities, to make them afraid to live and practise their faith freely or to divide our country".

"Antisemitism is a poison, and we won't stop fighting it until every Jewish person can live their lives fully, and free from fear," the cabinet minister for communities said.

A memorial service will take place at Heaton Park synagogue later to commemorate the victims and survivors.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Mayor of Manchester Bev Craig will be among those attending.

For those affected by the attack, the physical and emotional consequences are still being felt.

Bernard Agyemang, a security guard, is still recovering from the severe injuries he suffered when al-Shamie drove a car into him before trying to get into the synagogue with a knife.

Agyemang said he continued to struggle with the memories of the attack.

"The events of that day will stay with me forever," he said.

"I still live with the physical injuries and the emotional trauma caused by the attack, and there are days when the memories feel just as vivid as they did a year ago."

The 44-year-old from south Manchester suffered multiple fractures, including to his right leg and collarbone, as well as a suspected brain injury.

He continues to experience physical pain, cognitive difficulties and psychological trauma including PTSD.

Agyemang condemned the "hatred and violence that caused so much suffering" last year.

"Anniversaries like this are a reminder of everything that was taken from our community," he said. "But they are also an opportunity to come together, support one another and remember those we lost.

"My thoughts are with the families of Melvin and Adrian.

"No words can ease the pain of losing loved ones in such terrible circumstances."

Although the first anniversary of the Heaton Park attack isn't until October, the Jewish community will mark it on the religious anniversary date rather than by the secular calendar.

The attack happened on Yom Kippur, which falls in September this year. Private prayers will be held at the synagogue on that day.

Rabbi Walker said today's additional service is being held because the community also wanted to hold a public memorial before the Jewish High Holy Days – both to ensure those affected are remembered by wider society and to call for change.

"I think it will be a time when a lot of our community will be asking ourselves and the rest of society how we're going to make sure this doesn't happen again," he said.

"I don't think that's been done yet. I don't think the community feels secure enough yet, for good reason."

In a statement, the family of Melvin Cravitz thanked all those planning to attend the event and said that it "provides us with strength and support in recognising the utmost importance of remembering and honouring Melvin and Adrian and everyone impacted by the attack on Heaton Park synagogue and on our community on Yom Kippur last year."

There will be tight security at the commemoration, with a police operation on a similar scale to those deployed for football matches and music events in Manchester, the BBC has learned.

The chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Stephen Watson, is due to speak at the memorial event.

He apologised in July after it emerged that phones were twice seized from the attacker months before the car and knife assault but were not examined.

A force spokesperson said its increased resources would "provide additional visibility and security".

"These plans have been formed following engagement with community leaders to best understand local concerns and to ensure that the Jewish community that enjoy this special period without fear of harm," they said.

The BBC Freedom of Information request found that antisemitic criminal damage and arson offences have almost doubled since 2022.

In Manchester, there were 150 antisemitic hate crimes recorded by Greater Manchester Police in the first seven months of 2026 - only 32 fewer than in the whole of 2025.

Additional reporting by Lauren Woodhead