Essex Jews 'shocked and upset' by synagogue attack

Rabbi Warren Elf said it was hard to find the words to explain what happened in Manchester

A Rabbi said worshippers were "shocked and upset" to hear of the Manchester synagogue attack on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Two members of the Jewish community were killed and four injured in the attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation on Thursday.

Warren Elf was leading Yom Kippur prayers in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, when security guards asked him to step outside so they could brief him on the incident.

"People were shocked and upset," he said. "It was difficult to know exactly what to say in that situation."

Many Jewish people were initially unaware of what was unfolding in Manchester due to a convention of turning mobile phones off on Yom Kippur.

'Abhorrent'

Rabbi Elf, of Southend and District Reform Synagogue, said an attack "would've been the last thing on people's minds" on their sacred day.

"I'm still slightly shocked, slightly emotional about it," he told Ben Fryer on BBC Essex.

"We're aware there are lunatics, extremists or less community-minded people who will go out to cause trouble and harm.

"Hopefully, communities will come together, will stand in solidarity and say 'this is abhorrent, this is something against everything we stand for'."

The attack happened as Jewish people marked Yom Kippur

Essex Police has increased patrols near synagogues in light of the attack, which was declared a "terrorist incident" by Greater Manchester Police.

Joel Friedman, who is part of the Jewish community on Canvey Island, said officers attended his synagogue to break the news.

"As we do not have access to technology or media on the Sabbath and holy days, we would otherwise have remained unaware," he said.

"Their presence was a source of reassurance to our congregation."

'Vile and unprovoked'

A major incident was declared in Manchester at 09:37 BST, after police received a call from a man who reported witnessing a car being driven towards members of the public and a security guard being stabbed.

The attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British man described of being of Syrian descent, was shot dead by police outside the synagogue at 09:40.

Kevin Bentley, the Conservative leader of Essex County Council, said it was a "vile and unprovoked attack".

He added: "I am grateful to the police for their presence through additional patrols and resources around synagogues across Essex, so those worshipping can feel safe to do so."