Jewish community in harder position than immediately after synagogue attack, says rabbi

Almost a year after a deadly attack on a synagogue in Manchester, the Jewish community at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation feels less safe than they did immediately following the incident, according to Rabbi Daniel Walker. The rabbi attributed the increased sense of vulnerability to rising antisemitism and a lack of action to address the root causes.

Finlay, one of the attack survivors, noted that his son has faced death threats since the incident and that the community has had to resort to hiding their identities to feel secure. Despite increased security measures, many Jewish people feel they must display no outward signs of their faith, such as concealing event addresses on posters.

The community has also witnessed a surge in violent hate crimes against them, with a 67% increase in such incidents since 2022. The attack occurred during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, and the community is set to hold a memorial service to commemorate the victims and survivors.