A Year After Manchester Attack: 3,000 Join Hachnosas Sefer Torah in Memory of Kedoshim
Nearly 3,000 people gathered in Manchester, England, for an emotional Hachnosas Sefer Torah at Heaton Park Shul, dedicated in memory of the two Kedoshim, Melvin Cravitz HY”D and Adrian Daulby HY”D, who were killed in the Yom Kippur 2025 terrorist attack. Rabbi Daniel Walker, who courageously helped prevent the terrorist from entering the shul, joined the community in celebrating the arrival of the new Sefer Torah, as the site of last year’s tragedy was filled with singing and dancing • Read More, Photos
The attack took place on October 2, 2025, when a terrorist drove his car into people outside Heaton Park Shul before launching a knife attack and attempting to force his way inside. Melvin Cravitz, 66, was murdered outside the shul, while Adrian Daulby, 53, was killed by police gunfire as he and other congregants tried to prevent the attacker from entering. Three other people were seriously injured before the terrorist was shot dead by police.
During the attack, Rabbi Walker and other members of the congregation helped hold the shul doors shut, preventing the attacker from reaching the Mispallelim inside.
One year later, the community came together to dedicate a new Sefer Torah in their memory. Named the Unity Sefer Torah, it was commissioned through donations from members of the community, who were given the opportunity to sponsor a letter, a posuk or a parsha. Others donated the silver crown, Yad and Atzei Chaim.
The celebrations began at Rabbi Walker’s home, where invited guests joined Sofer Rabbi Yehoshua Macmull in completing the final letters of the Sefer Torah.
A procession of nearly 3,000 people then made its way toward Heaton Park Shul, accompanied by lively music from Buchi Glick and the Sameach Choir. Members of Anash, Shluchim and Yidden from across the Manchester community joined the procession, with singing and dancing along the way.
Upon arriving at the Shul, the celebrations continued outside before moving inside, where the new Sefer Torah was welcomed with joyous Hakafos around the Bimah, together with the Shul’s other Sifrei Torah.
A gala dinner followed later that evening, attended by more than 250 guests, including the three people who were injured in the attack. The gathering honored the memories of Melvin Cravitz HY”D and Adrian Daulby HY”D and celebrated the community’s determination to continue filling its shul with Torah, tefillah and simcha.
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