Heroic Worshippers Barricade Crumpsall Synagogue in Yom Kippur Terror Attack

MANCHESTER, Greater Manchester — In a display of profound courage on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, worshippers at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall successfully barricaded themselves inside to thwart a knife-wielding attacker. Tragically, two prominent members of the congregation, 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old security guard Melvin Cravitz, lost their lives while defending others.

The incident occurred on Thursday morning around 9:30 AM when Jihad al-Sharmie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, rammed his vehicle into other cars outside the synagogue before attempting to storm the building with a knife. Rabbi Daniel Walker, who was leading the prayers, recounted hearing threats from the entrance as the attacker attempted to force his way in.

Acts of Extreme Heroism

According to witnesses and community leaders, Cravitz and Daulby, along with several volunteers, immediately rushed to the entrance to hold the doors shut, using their bodies to block al-Sharmie's entry. "The heroes of the congregation saw what was happening and came to the doors," said Alan Levy, chairman of the synagogue's trustees. "We barricaded the doors between us. He couldn't get in because we held them firm."

Melvin Cravitz, a grandfather who had worked for 25 years at Halpern's Kosher Supermarket in Salford, was remembered as a kind and caring man who "would do anything to help anyone." Family members of Adrian Daulby paid tribute to his final act of selflessness, describing him as a hero who "tragically lost his life in an act of courage to save others." Another congregant, 35-year-old Yoni Finlay, was injured during the confrontation, sustaining wounds from a stray police bullet or shrapnel as armed officers arrived on the scene.

Police Response and Community Shock

Greater Manchester Police responded rapidly, shooting and neutralizing al-Sharmie within seven minutes of the initial call. Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson expressed condolences, noting that the fatal injury to one of the victims may have been an unforeseen consequence of the urgent action required to end the attack. Police are currently treating the incident as influenced by extreme Islamist ideology. Six suspects have since been taken into custody in connection with the investigation.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the scene, praising the professionalism of the responding officers and expressing solidarity with the Jewish community. "This was a dreadful terrorist attack designed to inflict fear," Starmer stated, emphasizing the need for the country to stand together against targeted hatred.