Nearly a year after the deadly attack at Manchester’s Heaton Park Synagogue that killed two men and wounded three others, the Jewish community feels less safe now than it did immediately after the assault. That’s according to Rabbi Daniel Walker, who spoke ahead of a memorial ceremony taking place today (Monday) honoring the victims and survivors. “The sense of vulnerability has grown, not diminished,” he said.
The deadly attack occurred on Yom Kippur, October 2, 2025, when terrorist Jihad al-Shami drove his car into the synagogue’s security guard, Bernard Agimeng, then tried to force his way inside with a knife. Melvin Karbitz and Adrian Dolby were killed trying to defend the synagogue, and three others were wounded.
Since the Manchester attack, a wave of antisemitic assaults has swept the globe. In Sydney, Australia, 15 people were shot dead during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach. In London, Jews and Jewish property have been targeted in arson attacks, including ambulances belonging to the Hatzalah rescue service last March.
BBC data reveals that violent hate crimes against Jews—including harassment and assaults—have risen by nearly two-thirds since 2022 across England and Wales. Rabbi Walker stressed that despite increased security, the root problem isn’t being addressed, and the situation has actually worsened in recent months.
Today’s memorial ceremony will include Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig. The event will be held under heavy security, on a scale similar to major football matches and music events in the city, the BBC learned.
Bernard Agimeng, the security guard seriously wounded in the attack, is still recovering from his physical and psychological injuries, and describes the memories as vivid and clear. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson, who is expected to speak at the ceremony, apologized last July after the attacker’s phones were seized months before the attack but never examined.