Heaton Park fundraiser launched to help families of victims and injured

The congregation is now hoping to raise £150,000 for a Heaton Park Shul Crisis Fund, which will support relatives of those who were killed or injured, fund counselling, support groups and recovery initiatives for the shul community and repair the damage to the building from the attack and upgrade the building’s security.

The synagogue’s chair, Alan Levy, said the community had been “astounded and grateful” for all the help and messages of support they had received from all over the world since the attack.

He added: “We’re now trying to move away from this darkness into the light, and we would be grateful if you would support our fund campaign.”

Adrian Daulby (left) and Melvin Cravitz - the victims of the Heaton Park attack (Photos: Greater Manchester Police)[Missing Credit]

He said that as well as supporting family members of the deceased and injured, the community wanted to help “members of the congregation, in particular, the heroic actions of the ones who witnessed the jihadist who tried to get into the synagogue, with anything that they need to help them get on with their lives”.

The shul’s rabbi, Daniel Walker, said: “We’ve been tremendously grateful for all the support we’ve received from around the world. We now ask you to continue the support by supporting our fund, which will support the families of the deceased, the injured and our shul.”

A statement on the fundraising page reads that the attack on Heat Park Shul “shook our entire community in ways we didn’t know were possible. On the holiest day of the year, our community bore witness to our worst nightmare.

“Lives have been shattered, families are mourning, and our beloved shul, a cornerstone of faith and unity, bears the scars of violence.

“We’re turning to our wider community and all who stand with us in solidarity to help our beloved community repair and rebuild.”

In the meantime, the Board of Deputies gave Rabbi Walker a standing ovation at their plenary on Sunday, which was held in Manchester.

Rabbi Daniel Walker addresses the Board of Deputies plenary in Manchester (Photo: Board of Deputies)[Missing Credit]

Rabbi Walker paid tribute to those who had flocked to services at Heaton Park Synagogue, recounting that around 1,000 people had filled the building for a Shabbat service.

He said: “Heaton Park Shul has not felt alone. In the greatest darkness, people were there for us. I will always remember the trauma but I will always remember the kindness as well.”

Recalling the Board’s president, Phil Rosenberg, joining the community for the first Friday night service after the terrorist attack, Rabbi Walker said it was “tremendously meaningful because it told us that we weren’t alone. I felt that the Jewish community was here with us.” 

Rosenberg told deputies that during his visit to Manchester, “we mourned together, we cried together and we held each other, but we also prayed together, sang together, and even danced together. This is the true spirit of Jewish resilience”.

To donate to the fundraiser, click this link or go charityextra.com/heatonpark