BMJA Statement on the Heaton Park Synagogue Attack

On Yom Kippur, 2 October 2025, the Jewish community of Manchester was struck by tragedy. Two men, Adrian Daulby (53) and Melvin Cravitz (66), lost their lives when a man drove his car into worshippers before attacking them with a knife outside the Heaton Park Synagogue. Three others were left seriously injured.

The attacker, identified as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead at the scene by police. Three other suspects have since been arrested.

The UK’s Chief Rabbi condemned the assault as the “tragic result” of an “unrelenting wave of Jew hatred,” while Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to the Jewish community that he would do everything in his power to ensure they have “the security you deserve.”

For British Jews, the shock of such violence—on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year—was profound. For Messianic Jews, who live at the intersection of Jewish and Christian life, the grief and sense of vulnerability are keenly felt.

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The BMJA’s Response

On 3 October 2025, the British Messianic Jewish Alliance (BMJA), the world’s oldest continuing fellowship of Jewish disciples of Yeshua (founded in 1866 by Rev. Dr. Karl Schwartz), issued a public statement of solidarity with the wider Jewish community.

“We grieve with those directly affected and with the wider Jewish community for whom this assault on Yom Kippur strikes at the heart of faith and community life. Violence and hatred have no place in our society. Such acts can never be justified and can never be excused.”

The statement reminded readers of the BMJA’s history: from its early beginnings gathering Jewish believers in Jesus for prayer and fellowship, to its modern role of standing against antisemitism and working for the good of all in the United Kingdom. It concluded with the words of Isaiah:

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1).

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A Pastoral Word to Members

Alongside the public statement, the BMJA leadership sent a pastoral letter to its members. It offered comfort, practical support, and a call to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community:

• Acknowledging the grief and fear caused by the attack.
• Encouraging prayer, mutual care, and fellowship in Yeshua.
• Reminding members of the BMJA’s mission: that no one need stand alone.

The letter urged Messianic Jews to embody God’s promise of comfort, both within their own community and towards the wider Jewish people.

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Reflection

For the BMJA, this event is not only a national tragedy but also part of a long story of Jewish disciples of Yeshua affirming their solidarity with their people in times of suffering. From 19th-century gatherings in London to today’s challenges, the calling remains the same: to stand as one with the Jewish people, bearing witness to the God of Israel who brings peace, justice, and hope.

On this day in Messianic Jewish history, we remember the victims of Heaton Park, we pray for healing for the injured, and we reaffirm our commitment: Never again to hatred, never again to silence, always yes to comfort and solidarity.

A Prayer for Comfort

English
O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
Comfort those who mourn in Manchester and across the Jewish people.
Be close to the families of Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, and bring healing to the wounded.
Shelter them beneath Your wings, give them strength in their grief, and renew their hope.
May the memory of the righteous be a blessing,
and may Your peace, promised in Messiah Yeshua, guard every heart.
Amen.

Hebrew
אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב,
נַחֵם אֶת הַמִּתְאַבְּלִים בְּמַנְצֶ’סְטֶר וּבְתוֹךְ עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל.
הֱיֵה קָרוֹב אֶל מִשְׁפְּחוֹת אֵדרִיאָן דוֹלְבִּי וּמֶלְוִין קְרָבִיץ, וּתְן רְפוּאָה לַפְּצוּעִים.
הַסְתֵּר אוֹתָם בְּצֵל כְּנָפֶיךָ, תֵּן לָהֶם כֹּחַ בְּתוֹךְ אֵבֶלָם, וְחַדֵּשׁ תִּקְוָתָם.
יְהִי זִכְרוֹן הַצַּדִּיקִים לִבְרָכָה,
וִיהִי שְׁלוֹמְךָ, הַמֻּבְטָח בַּמָּשִׁיחַ יֵשׁוּעַ, שׁוֹמֵר עַל כָּל לֵב.
אָמֵן.

Transliteration
Elohei Avraham, Yitzchak v’Ya‘akov,
Nachem et ha-mit’ab’lim b’Manchester u’v’toch amcha Yisra’el.
He’yeh karov el mishpechot Adrian Daulby u’Melvin Cravitz, u’ten refu’ah la-petzua’im.
Haster otam b’tzel k’nafecha, ten lahem ko’ach b’toch evelam, v’chadesh tikvatam.
Yehi zichron ha-tzaddikim livracha,
V’yehi sh’lomecha, ha-muvtakh ba-Mashiach Yeshua, shomer al kol lev.
Amen.