Jewish Community in Manchester Faces Growing Vulnerability One Year After Synagogue Attack

The Attack and Its Immediate Aftermath

On Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, two men—Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby—were killed defending their synagogue from an attacker, Jihad al-Shamie. The violent incident left three others injured and shocked not only Manchester but Jewish communities worldwide.

In the months following the attack, a wave of antisemitic violence unfolded globally. In Sydney, Australia, 15 people were killed in a shooting at a Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach. In London, Jewish people and property were targeted in arson attacks, including attacks on ambulances belonging to the Hatzola emergency medical service. In April 2026, two orthodox Jewish men were stabbed after morning prayers in Golders Green. These events underscored a disturbing rise in antisemitic violence internationally and heightened fears within Jewish communities.

Growing Sense of Vulnerability Within the Community

Rabbi Daniel Walker of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation has expressed that the community feels less safe now than immediately after the attack. Despite increased security measures, he said the core issues driving antisemitism remain unaddressed, leading to a deepening sense of insecurity. “I think we're actually almost in a harder position than we were even immediately after the attack,” he stated.

The community’s grief has been compounded by ongoing attacks elsewhere, creating a climate where Jewish individuals feel increasingly exposed. Rabbi Walker emphasized that the societal symptoms of antisemitism are worsening, not improving, reflecting a failure to tackle underlying causes. He lamented that while security has increased, “there’s no evidence of anyone dealing with the core problems,” and in many ways, those problems may have worsened.

Statistical Evidence of Rising Antisemitic Hate Crimes

A BBC Freedom of Information request revealed a nearly 66% increase in violent hate crimes targeting Jewish people across 33 police forces in England and Wales since 2022. These offenses include harassment, assault, criminal damage, and arson.

In Greater Manchester alone, 150 antisemitic hate crimes were recorded in the first seven months of 2026, approaching the total number for the entire previous year. Arson and criminal damage incidents have almost doubled, signaling a troubling escalation in hostility and violence. This sharp rise in antisemitic offenses highlights the urgent need for effective interventions to protect the Jewish community.

Personal Impact: The Ongoing Trauma of Survivors

Bernard Agyemang, a security guard at the synagogue, continues to recover from severe physical injuries sustained during the attack, including multiple fractures and a suspected brain injury. Beyond physical pain, he grapples with psychological trauma such as PTSD, illustrating the long-term human cost of such violence.

Agyemang described how the memories of that day remain vivid and painful, saying, “The events of that day will stay with me forever.” He condemned the hatred and violence that caused so much suffering and emphasized that anniversaries serve as both a painful reminder of loss and an opportunity for communal solidarity and remembrance.

His experience highlights the enduring scars left on survivors and the wider community, underscoring the need for ongoing support and recognition of the attack’s lasting effects.

Community and Government Responses

The Jewish community plans to observe the attack’s anniversary with private prayers on Yom Kippur, which falls in September this year, and a public memorial service at Heaton Park synagogue. The memorial will be attended by prominent figures including Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Manchester’s Mayor Bev Craig, underscoring its significance.

Security for the memorial will be stringent, with Greater Manchester Police deploying resources comparable to those used at major public events such as football matches and concerts. The police have pledged increased visibility and engagement with community leaders to address safety concerns, aiming to ensure the community can observe this period without fear.

Government officials have also spoken out. Cabinet Minister Angela Rayner condemned antisemitism as a poison and affirmed the government’s commitment to fighting hatred. She stated the government would not allow hatred to drive people from their communities or to live in fear. However, community leaders maintain that while such statements are important, more substantive action is needed to address the root causes of antisemitism.

Challenges in Addressing Root Causes of Antisemitism

Rabbi Walker and others stress that while security enhancements are necessary, they do not solve the underlying societal issues fueling antisemitism. The persistence and rise of hate crimes suggest that efforts to confront prejudice, misinformation, and extremism remain insufficient.

Criticism has also been directed at systemic failures, such as the police’s earlier seizure but non-examination of the attacker’s phones months before the assault. This lapse raised questions about missed opportunities to prevent the attack and has fueled calls for greater accountability and improved intelligence procedures.

Addressing antisemitism requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond immediate security responses to include education, community engagement, and tackling the societal attitudes that allow hatred to flourish. Without such measures, the Jewish community’s growing sense of vulnerability is unlikely to abate.

What this means

The first anniversary of the Heaton Park synagogue attack serves as a somber reminder of the persistent threat antisemitism poses in the UK and beyond. While security enhancements and public memorials provide some comfort, the Jewish community’s growing sense of vulnerability reveals deeper societal fractures. Addressing this crisis requires not only vigilance and protection but also a committed effort to confront and dismantle the prejudices and systemic failures that allow hatred to flourish. Only through comprehensive action can the community hope to move toward a future where safety and acceptance are assured.