Attacked synagogue repairs not covered by insurers

Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Crumpsall, north Manchester, was attacked on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, on 2 October

The Manchester synagogue targeted in the recent car and knife attack will have to fund its own building repairs because its insurance policy did not cover "acts of terrorism".

More than £125,000 has been raised for the victims of the 2 October attack in which two Jewish worshippers were killed and three others were seriously injured at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation.

Some of the money raised by members of the congregation will be used to cover rebuilding costs.

Chair of trustees Alan Levy explained: "The insurance has said were are not covered because acts of terrorism was not a feature on the policy we have with them."

'Rebuilding lives'

Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed and three others seriously injured after Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drove a car into security guard Bernard Agyemang, stabbed congregant Andrew Franks, and tried to force entry into the synagogue.

Mr Daulby suffered a gunshot wound after armed police officers responded to the incident and shot Al-Shamie dead.

A police bullet also struck another man, Yoni Finlay, who has since been released from hospital.

Mr Franks was attacked while helping provide security outside the synagogue.

Three weeks on, donations to the synagogue and its community have surpassed £125,000.

Mr Levy said: "I think it's fantastic that the whole community, and people all around the world, have joined in with the fundraising campaign.

"It is going to be very important for the families and dependents of those who sadly lost their lives, and also those who are injured - a couple of whom have come out of hospital now and are obviously going to need help to rebuild their lives back to whatever normality will be going forwards."

While the synagogue's rebuilding process is far from over, Mr Levy said it was "fantastic" to reopen it last week, and expressed his gratitude for the support received from Manchester and further afield.

Mr Levy said: "Local people, all over the UK, have got behind it - but it's gone as far as Israel, the United States, Australia - those are the main three areas where we have received funds from.

Around 200 people attended a vigil outside the synagogue

"On the Friday before the Sabbath, a call went out for the local community to all come and celebrate the Sabbath with Heaton Park Shul as a show of support," said Mr Levy.

"The synagogue was absolutely rammed full."

Mr Levy said there must have been 1,000 people in the synagogue, which has a capacity of 850 people.

He said every seat had been taken and people were standing in the aisles.

"We were singing, we were dancing, we were praying, and that's what we do as proud, resilient Mancunian Jews, all get together to show support in times of need.

"We're resilient, we reopen the doors, we pray every day, everyone is supporting each other as best as they can, and we're delighted to be able to be back in our home."

Mr Levy added that while it was "too early" to confirm exact plans, there will be a memorial held for Mr Cravitz and Mr Daulby later this year.