A memorial service was held at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall on Monday evening to honour two men killed during last year’s terrorist attack on the synagogue.
About 800 people attended the gathering, which remembered Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, who died while worshippers tried to prevent the attacker from entering the building on 2 October 2025.
A message from King Charles was read at the start of the service. The King said he and Queen Camilla continued to hold in their thoughts and prayers those whose lives had been changed by the attack, adding that “hatred can never prevail over our shared humanity”.
The commemoration brought together members of Manchester’s Jewish community, relatives of the victims, survivors, political representatives and emergency services personnel. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner were among those present.
Rabbi Daniel Walker, the synagogue’s rabbi, paid tribute to Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz, while survivor Yoni Finlay also addressed the congregation. Mr Finlay was among those injured as worshippers barricaded the doors against the attacker.
The attack took place during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Jihad Al-Shamie drove a vehicle towards people outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation before launching a knife attack; he was later shot dead by armed police.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz were the two victims who died. Three other men were seriously injured.
The service was held ahead of the anniversary of the attack, which falls during the Jewish High Holy Days this year, and was intended to remember those who died while recognising the resilience of the wider community.
