Manchester community holds memorial for Heaton Park synagogue attack victims

Approximately 850 people gathered at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester for a memorial service to honor Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who were killed during a terrorist attack on Yom Kippur last year.

The attack occurred when Jihad Al-Shamie drove a vehicle into the synagogue entrance while wearing a fake suicide belt and entered the building with a knife. During the ensuing struggle to protect worshippers, an armed police officer fired a shot to stop the attacker; the bullet passed through a door and fatally struck Adrian Daulby. Melvin Cravitz died from stab wounds sustained during the raid. Al-Shamie was killed by police at the scene.

The memorial was attended by prominent figures, including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner. Organizers noted that while the attack was intended to shut down the synagogue, the event instead demonstrated the resilience and unity of the Jewish community. The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region emphasized the need for stronger government action against extremism and hatred targeting British Jews.