Jewish community in UK braces for first anniversary of Manchester shul attack

The Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester will mark the first anniversary of a jihadist attack this Sunday, October 2, 2025, which occurred during Yom Kippur services. The attack resulted in the deaths of Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, and wounded three others. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis will lead the memorial services alongside survivors and bereaved relatives. Mirvis acknowledged the community's apprehension, stating, "Memories are still exceptionally fresh. The impact of such a terrorist attack runs very deep, and the trauma continues for a long, long time." He also linked escalating anti-Israel rhetoric to increased hostility towards Jews, noting, "When rhetoric towards Israel escalates, hostility towards Jews is never far behind." Ahead of the services, Rabbi Mirvis composed a special prayer for the victims to be recited during Yizkor.