Heaton Park synagogue is “thriving” despite having “lived through our worst nightmare, a community leader has declared as the shul approaches the six-month anniversary of the Yom Kippur terror attack.
"Terrorism tried to close our synagogue, but instead it filled it," Marc Levy, the chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester said.
"Synagogue attendances actually increased with those who had not attended for years feeling inspired to do so."
Levy, who was speaking at the Summit of European Jewish Leaders, taking place in Athens this year, told attendees how more than 1,500 people packed into the synagogue on the first Friday after it reopened after the October 2 attack that left two congregants dead and four people seriously injured.
Instead of “driving people away” from the synagogue, however, the atrocity has had the opposite effect, Levy said, highlighting the community’s “resilience” and determination “not to vacate public spaces”.
"We are not hiding," he said. "We will continue to celebrate our immense contribution to our country. If the intention of this terrorism was to drive people away it clearly failed."
Melvin Cravitz, 66, died from multiple stab wounds inflicted by the terrorist during the attack, while Adrian Daulby, 53, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, fired by an armed police officer who attended the scene.
Yesterday at the ECJC conference, JRC Chief Executive Marc Levy spoke about our response to the terrorist attack against the Heaton Park Synagogue and reflected on the resilience and strength shown by our community.
— Jewish Representative Council of GM & Region (@JewishMCR) March 16, 2026
With 250 people from 35 counties in attendance, the conference… pic.twitter.com/hUbA09H7On
The attacker, who had driven his car toward a cluster of people outside the synagogue before stabbing multiple people, was shot dead outside the synagogue by police
At the time, the prime minister hailed the shul’s leader, Rabbi Daniel Walker, and security staff, as “heroes” for their actions in stopping the terrorist from gaining entry to the building.
In his deeply personal address, Levy also paid tribute to his father, Alan, who, as part of the shul’s volunteer security team, “came face-to-face with evil”, confronting the terrorist at the security gate.
He went on to demonstrate “incredible heroism”, as he barricaded the door of the building with his body while raising the alarm.
“His actions did not just stop the terrorist, but they saved the lives of everyone inside,” Levy said.
Organised by the European Council of Jewish Communities, the sixth summit of European Jewish leaders brought together more than 250 participants from over 35 countries this week to discuss major challenges currently facing Jewish communities in Europe, from rising antisemitism and security concerns to demographic shifts and broader social transformations.
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