Manchester Mourns After Synagogue Terror Attack on Yom Kippur
In a devastating act of antisemitic violence, two men—Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66—were killed outside the Heaton Park Congregation synagogue in Manchester, England, on Thursday, October 2, 2025. The attack, which occurred on Yom Kippur—the holiest day in the Jewish calendar—has been declared an act of terrorism by British authorities .
How the Attack Unfolded
According to Greater Manchester Police, the assailant, identified as 35-year-old British citizen Jihad al-Shamie of Syrian descent, first rammed his vehicle into a group of worshippers gathered outside the synagogue. He then exited the car and launched a stabbing spree, injuring three others before being apprehended at the scene .
Victims Honored: Lives Cut Short on a Sacred Day
| Name | Age | Community Role | Memorial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian Daulby | 53 | Active synagogue volunteer and local business owner | Remembered for organizing youth outreach programs |
| Melvin Cravitz | 66 | Retired educator and Holocaust education advocate | Survived by wife, two children, and five grandchildren |
Rising Antisemitism Sparks Global Alarm
The Manchester attack is the latest in a disturbing surge of antisemitic incidents across Europe and North America. The UK’s Community Security Trust reported a 43% year-over-year increase in antisemitic hate crimes as of mid-2025. Jewish leaders warn that synagogues, schools, and community centers now require armed patrols and reinforced barriers—transforming places of worship into fortresses.
Context: This is the first fatal terrorist attack on a British synagogue since the 1994 bombing of the Jewish community center in London that killed one person.
Government and Community Response
- UK Prime Minister: Condemned the attack as “an assault on British values and religious freedom.”
- Greater Manchester Police: Deployed additional armed officers to all Jewish sites in the region.
- Heaton Park Congregation: Announced a public memorial service and launched a victim support fund.
