Nearly a year after the attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester, the Jewish community faces a deepening sense of vulnerability, according to Rabbi Daniel Walker. Rising antisemitism and what he describes as insufficient action on underlying causes have left many members of the congregation—and British Jews more broadly—increasingly fearful as the anniversary approaches.
"I think we're actually almost in a harder position than we were even immediately after the attack,"Rabbi Walker said ahead of a memorial service scheduled for Monday, 31 August 2026.
"I think the sense of vulnerability has grown. It hasn't diminished."
On 2 October 2025, Jihad al-Shamie launched an assault on the synagogue during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Two men—Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby—were killed, and three others were injured as they attempted to defend the building. Security guard Bernard Agyemang was struck by a vehicle before the attacker tried to enter with a knife.
The Manchester attack triggered a wave of antisemitic violence across multiple countries in the months that followed. In Sydney, Australia, 15 people were shot dead at a Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach. In London, Jewish targets faced repeated arson attacks, including an incident in March involving ambulances operated by the Hatzola emergency medical service. In April, two Orthodox Jewish men were stabbed as they departed morning prayers in Golders Green.
A Freedom of Information request to police forces in England and Wales has revealed that violent hate crimes targeting Jewish people—including harassment and assault—have risen by nearly two-thirds since 2022 across 33 forces. Antisemitic criminal damage and arson offences have almost doubled in the same period. According to recent monitoring data, UK antisemitic incidents remained near record levels in the first half of 2026, with 1,926 incidents recorded, representing a 21% increase year on year.
In Manchester specifically, Greater Manchester Police recorded 150 antisemitic hate crimes in the first seven months of 2026—only 32 fewer than the entire year of 2025. According to community security monitoring, Greater Manchester recorded 222 antisemitic incidents in the first half of 2026 alone, while London accounted for 994 incidents in the same period.
For the Heaton Park congregation, the past year has been marked by grief compounded by the broader wave of attacks elsewhere.
"Something has gone seriously wrong in our society,"Rabbi Walker stated.
"I think we're dealing with symptoms. We're extremely grateful for the increased security, but I don't think there's really any evidence of anyone dealing with the core problems. And on the contrary, in many ways, those may have become worse over the last months."
What is the government's response?
Angela Rayner, the cabinet minister for communities, told the media that the government would
"not allow hatred to drive people from their communities, to make them afraid to live and practise their faith freely or to divide our country."She added that
"Antisemitism is a poison, and we won't stop fighting it until every Jewish person can live their lives fully, and free from fear."
Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police is scheduled to speak at the memorial event. He apologised in July after it emerged that phones belonging to the attacker were seized twice in the months before the assault but were not examined. A force spokesperson said increased resources would
"provide additional visibility and security"and that
"These plans have been formed following engagement with community leaders to best understand local concerns and to ensure that the Jewish community that enjoy this special period without fear of harm."
How are survivors coping?
Bernard Agyemang, the security guard who was hit by the attacker's vehicle, continues to struggle with the physical and psychological aftermath. The 44-year-old from south Manchester suffered multiple fractures to his right leg and collarbone, as well as a suspected brain injury. He experiences ongoing physical pain, cognitive difficulties, and psychological trauma including post-traumatic stress disorder.
"The events of that day will stay with me forever,"Agyemang said.
"I still live with the physical injuries and the emotional trauma caused by the attack, and there are days when the memories feel just as vivid as they did a year ago."
He condemned the
"hatred and violence that caused so much suffering"and reflected on the significance of the anniversary.
"Anniversaries like this are a reminder of everything that was taken from our community,"he said.
"But they are also an opportunity to come together, support one another and remember those we lost. My thoughts are with the families of Melvin and Adrian. No words can ease the pain of losing loved ones in such terrible circumstances."
How will the anniversary be marked?
The Jewish community will observe the first anniversary on two separate occasions. The religious anniversary falls on Yom Kippur, which occurs in September this year, and private prayers will be held at the synagogue on that date. However, a public memorial service is being held on 31 August 2026 to ensure the wider society remembers those affected and to call for systemic change.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Manchester Mayor Bev Craig are among those expected to attend. The family of Melvin Cravitz issued a statement thanking all those planning to attend, saying the event
"provides us with strength and support in recognising the utmost importance of remembering and honouring Melvin and Adrian and everyone impacted by the attack on Heaton Park synagogue and on our community on Yom Kippur last year."
Security arrangements for the commemoration will be extensive, with a police operation on a scale comparable to those deployed for major football matches and music events in Manchester.
Rabbi Walker emphasised the broader significance of the gathering.
"I think it will be a time when a lot of our community will be asking ourselves and the rest of society how we're going to make sure this doesn't happen again,"he said.
"I don't think that's been done yet. I don't think the community feels secure enough yet, for good reason."
What legal developments have occurred?
In a significant development, Hekmat Omar Ali Hakim was charged on 20 August 2026 with failing to disclose information about terrorist activity linked to the Manchester synagogue attack. Court proceedings are expected to follow as the criminal process continues.
Key Facts
- Two men, Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, were killed in the attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation on 2 October 2025; three others were injured.
- Violent hate crimes targeting Jewish people have risen by nearly two-thirds since 2022 across 33 police forces in England and Wales.
- The first half of 2026 saw 1,926 antisemitic incidents recorded in the UK, a 21% increase year on year and the second-highest six-month total ever recorded by community monitors.
- A public memorial service is scheduled for 31 August 2026, with private prayers to be held on Yom Kippur in September.
- Security guard Bernard Agyemang continues to recover from multiple fractures and a suspected brain injury sustained during the attack.
