Manchester rabbi: ‘We can't despair… We can't give up’ | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Inquest: A judicial inquiry to ascertain all the facts relating to a death.
• Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
• Anti-semitism: Hostility to or prejudice against Jews.
• CST (Community Security Trust): A Jewish community security organization.
• Jihad al-Shami: The attacker in the described incident.
• Sukat: A Jewish festival of happiness.
• Zenith: The time at which something is most powerful or successful.

Summary of the Transcript

This transcript details the aftermath of an attack on a synagogue, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of Rabbi Daniel. The discussion centers on the community's coping mechanisms, the remembrance of the victims, the harrowing details of the attack, the broader context of anti-semitism, and the outpouring of support received.

Community Coping and Remembrance

Rabbi Daniel describes the community as resilient but not "okay," emphasizing the importance of acknowledging that it's acceptable not to be fine. He highlights the profound loss felt by the community, symbolized by the empty seats of the deceased congregants, Melvin Kravitz and Adrien Dulby, in the synagogue.

Melvin Kravitz: Remembered as a wonderful family man, well-known and loved across the entire community, always happy to help and with a smile. Adrien Dulby: Described as a very quiet man of great dignity, always with a smile, kind, and deeply loved by his family and neighbors. His neighbors expressed their love and affection for him upon hearing of his death.

The Attack

Rabbi Daniel recounts the terrifying moments of the attack.

• Initial Event: The first sound heard was a "large, very loud bang," later understood to be the attacker driving into Bernard, the security guard, and the wall.
• Entry and Heroism: Men ran into the main part of the synagogue shouting to close the doors. Adrien Dulby, seated near the door, reacted with unprecedented speed, leaping up to close the door and "quite possibly saved a lot of lives" by preventing further entry. Rabbi Daniel notes Adrien's transformation from a quiet man to a hero through his immediate, decisive action.
• Interception and Delay: Rabbi Daniel then moved to the foyer and became aware of Andrew, a volunteer security guard, who bravely intercepted and delayed the attacker. This action provided crucial time for another brave individual, Allan, to close and lock the front doors.
• Perception of Time: While the events took only minutes, they "felt like hours."

Preparedness and Anti-semitism

Rabbi Daniel states he was not expecting the attack but attributes the community's ability to cope to the preparedness of the security, specifically mentioning the CST and its volunteers.

He connects the attack to a broader "wave of anti-semitism" experienced in various forums over the past few years, suggesting this environment made such an event possible. While not speculating on the attacker's personal motivations, he asserts that the attacker cannot be detached from the environment that "undoubtedly was produced by." Rabbi Daniel frames anti-semitism as a societal problem that society as a whole must address, rather than solely a Jewish issue.

Reopening and Support

The synagogue reopened, and Rabbi Daniel led a service again. He describes the experience as a mixture of "great sadness" due to the deaths and hospitalizations (Bernard, Andrew, and Yanni) but also a "great determination to be happy and to be joyful." The service was described as "special" and "uplifting," a sentiment that has continued with subsequent services. The festival of Sukkot, a festival of happiness, followed, where congregants "danced and cried at the same time."

Rabbi Daniel acknowledges receiving "very good support" from his community and the Chief Rabbi, but reiterates that it's not healthy to pretend things are okay.

Royal Visit

The visit of the King is highlighted as a significant moment of support. Rabbi Daniel notes that in times of grief and tragedy, the initial feeling can be one of isolation, but the outpouring of support, culminating in the King's visit, demonstrated they were "not alone." The King spent time with everyone present at the synagogue on the day of the attack, including those who were there, the families of the victims, and some first responders. His willingness to speak to each person, share kind words, and listen was deeply meaningful.

Conclusion

The transcript provides a poignant account of a community grappling with the trauma of a violent attack. It underscores the importance of acknowledging grief, celebrating the bravery of individuals who acted heroically, and recognizing the pervasive nature of anti-semitism. The narrative also emphasizes the profound impact of community support and solidarity in navigating such profound tragedy.