Rabbi Daniel Walker praised the brave worshippers who blocked terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie from entering Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester
A hero rabbi revealed how brave worshippers blocked a terrorist from trying to enter a synagogue as he chillingly shouted “I’m going to get you”. Rabbi Daniel Walker said they helped him hold the doors as Jihad Al-Shamie tried to get inside while brandishing a knife and screaming threats.
Two men were killed on Thursday outside the synagogue – Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66 – during the attack on Thursday (October 2). Three others remain in hospital with serious injuries.
Rabbi Walker described the worshippers at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, as “very, very brave men”. The Jewish leader said the attacker screamed: “I’m gonna get you, he said. He was shouting threats.”
He told ITV News: “Half an hour into the prayers I heard an almighty bang from outside, shouting. Someone was trying to get in with a knife. When he tried to get inside the synagogue, there was a large number of us trying to hold him off.”
The attacker Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by police seven minutes after officers were alerted to the attack. Rabbi Walker also spoke of Mr Daulby’s bravery saying he “defended the synagogue with his life”, adding: “The very, very brave men, security guard and volunteers stopped him and blocked him literally with their bodies and are still in hospital.
“If they hadn’t done that then we would not be where we are right now. They were very, very brave. Very quick acting.”
Describing his feelings towards the attacker, Rabbi Walker said he was not “willing to waste any of my headspace even thinking about him”. He added: “He was evil. And I want to focus on goodness and holiness.
“So I’m worried about the community now. I’m worried about the people that passed away. I’m worried about the people who are ill and all of the community.”
Meanwhile Walker, and members of the synagogue, released an emotional today (October 3) saying that “the loss we feel is beyond words”. They added: “It is hard to find the words to convey the depth of our community’s grief, as we try to process yesterday’s act of unimaginable violence.
“This desecration of our synagogue, on Yom Kippur of all days, is an episode that has changed us all forever. Two of our beloved members were murdered in cold blood, and others remain in hospital with serious injuries. The loss we feel is beyond words.
“These were not simply members of our synagogue – they were our friends, our family – and their absence leaves a void that can never be filled. Even in this valley of deepest sorrow, we have been upheld by extraordinary courage and kindness from so many.”
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