Together we Mourn

We were all shaken and shocked when we learned, during our Yom Kippur morning service, about the horrifying attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester.

We are appalled by this brutal act of violence and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Manchester. No community should ever face such terror in a place of prayer, especially on the holiest day of our calendar.

Our hearts and prayers are with the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims, and with the entire Jewish community. We pray for a speedy and complete recovery of body and soul for all who were injured, and for all who were in the synagogue during the attack.

At times like these, we draw strength from our faith and from one another. As Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks wrote in 2017: “What terrorists seek to destroy, we will continue to build: community, democracy, tolerance, respect for each other and for the sanctity of life.”

It is heartbreaking and painful news, and I know that many of us are feeling a wide range of emotions right now: sadness, fear, anger, and deep concern.

This was an attack on a synagogue. A place in which we all pray, work and gather. It is understandable if coming to our own synagogue now feels frightening or unsettling. Please know that our security is consistently high all year round.  Nevertheless, there will be extra security for upcoming shabbatot and festival services as an extra precaution, and we remain in close contact with the police & CST to ensure we are following best practices.  Please can we ask you to play your part by not gathering in front of the building, by being patient and kind with our security team on arrival, and by reporting anything that you are uncomfortable with to them.

Thank you to Aleks, Gary, our volunteers and our house team for all their work keeping us safe.   

If you would like to talk, share how you are feeling, or simply sit together for a few minutes, the door of the rabbinic team is open. You are very welcome to contact me, Rabbi Thomas or Rabbi Zahavit any time. 

יהי זכרם ברוך – Yehi zichram baruch – May the memory of the victims be a blessing.

With a heavy heart and care,

Rabbi Kamila