‘We are angry but resilient,’ Jewish leaders tell Manchester synagogue vigil

Dozens of worshippers have gathered at the Manchester synagogue that was attacked on Yom Kippur, vowing to show “resolve” and not be “cowed” by terrorism. Amid heavy security a week after the assault in which two men were killed, Jewish community leaders led prayers and speeches in a sombre but defiant 15-minute vigil. Daniel Walker, the rabbi of Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue who helped stop Jihad al-Shamie from entering the building, told those gathered: “Evil tried to defile these steps and make them the opposite. We will not allow that to happen.” Police revealed on Wednesday that Shamie, 35, who was shot dead by officers, pledged allegiance to the extremist group Islamic State during his six-minute attack outside the synagogue in north Manchester last Thursday. Shamie, who was not known to counter-terrorism police at the time, drove his car into worshippers before attacking others with a knife while wearing a fake suicide belt. Melvin Cravitz, a 66-year-old father of three, was killed along with Adrian Daulby, 53, who is believed to have been inadvertently shot by police as he ran to block the synagogue doors to stop Shamie getting inside. About 100 worshippers gathered on Thursday morning in the courtyard where the attack unfolded, protected by a large police presence and members of the Jewish Community Security Trust, some of whom appeared to be wearing bulletproof vests. A bullet hole could be seen on the front door of the synagogue, where armed police fired at Shamie as he tried to force his way into the building. A single bouquet of flowers rested on the steps below. Raphi Bloom, of the Federation of Jewish Services in Manchester, told the crowd: “A week ago at precisely this time, the moment we all feared and warned our political leaders about came true with horrific consequences.” He added: “We are mourning. We are scared. We feel isolated and we are angry, very angry. Angry because we screamed this would happen and no one listened. But we are resilient. We are proud.” Bloom urged the Jewish community to “remain strong, do not be cowed” and “do not be silent when you see or hear the Jew-hate that caused this tragedy – stand up to it. Report it. Say loudly this hate has no place in our country.” Mark Levy, the chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council for the Greater Manchester region, paid tribute to Cravitz and Daulby, whose families were in the crowd. He added: “In this idyllic place that we have called home for generations, the scenes that unfolded exactly a week ago today were always on our television screens. “The fact that we as a community have had to live behind gates, with security guards, for such a long time is a moral failing in our society.” Levy urged worshippers to “move on to our strength and resilience because we will not be cowed”. He said synagogue attendances had increased since the attack and that Jewish schools had remained open. He added: “We are often told that the silent majority are with us but being silent now is not good enough. We need to hear you. To those who speak with forked tongues or who are disingenuous, please know [that] you will be called out. “To those who actively wish to do us harm, we are not going anywhere,” he said to applause. “We are British and we are Jewish. This is our country … We have contributed to this country an immense amount over the last 200 years – and this will continue.” The police investigation into Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, is continuing although detectives believe he is likely to have acted alone. Four people arrested in the aftermath of the attack were released with no further action on Wednesday. The group, Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, is due to hold a demonstration outside Downing Street later on Thursday.