Hero Manchester rabbi reveals how victim 'defended synagogue with his life'
Led by rabbi Daniel Walker, worshippers barricaded the door as Jihad al-Sharmie threatened them - Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died in the attack
Facing potential death at the hands of a deranged knifeman storming their synagogue, hero worshippers somehow summoned the courage to hold him at bay.
Led by rabbi Daniel Walker, they barricaded the door as Jihad al-Sharmie threatened them after ramming his car into others outside.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz died in Thursday’s attack during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Three others remain in hospital with serious injuries. Adrian and Melvin were among the brave souls trying to stop al-Sharmie, who was on bail for an alleged rape.
Tearful Rabbi Walker told how he was in the middle of prayers when he heard “someone trying to get in with a knife”. He added: “When he tried to get in the synagogue there was a large number of us trying to hold him off.
“‘I’m going to get you’, he said. He was shouting threats.
“The very, very brave men, security guard and volunteers, stopped him and blocked him, literally with their bodies and are still in hospital.
“If they hadn’t done that we would not be where we are right now. They were very, very brave. Very quick.
“He was evil. And I want to focus on goodness and holiness.
“We can’t allow evil to win and we all have to change. I looked evil in the face. We can’t allow evil to win.”
Rabbi Walker said Adrian “defended the synagogue with his life”.
Tributes have been paid to Adrian and Melvin, who police said was a security guard working at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Gtr Manchester, and “courageously stopped the attacker from entering the building”.
His family added: “Melvin would do anything to help anyone. He was so kind, caring and always wanted to chat and get to know people.”
The grandad worked for around 25 years at Halpern’s Kosher Supermarket, in the heart of Salford’s Jewish community. Former boss David Salzman said: “He was an unbelievable person, such a special person with a big heart.
“He was always there for everyone. You have that one person that’s just so special and wants to help, and nothing was a problem for him.”
Adrian’s relatives said: “He was a hero and tragically lost his life in the act of courage to save others.
“The family is shocked by the tragic death of such a lovely down to earth man. His final act was one of profound courage and he will forever be remembered for his heroic act. We are heartbroken by his passing.
“He was a beloved brother, loving uncle to his four nieces and one nephew and a cherished cousin.”
A neighbour added: “He was so nice in the community. My sister lives a few doors down and he’d knock on and tell her her washing was getting wet.” Neighbour Abdul Rahimi added: “He was a very, very good man.”
Another resident who lived nearby, Waqas Hussain, told how Adrian had survived cancer, lived alone and visited the synagogue more after the death of his father a few years ago.
He added: “He was just a great guy. Just one of those people, so innocent, so approachable, so pure.
Gtr Manchester Police Chief Con Sir Stephen Watson told how the victim’s fatal shot “may sadly have been sustained as a tragic and unforeseen consequence of the urgently required action taken by our officers to bring a vicious attack to an end”.
Dad-of-three Yoni Finlay, 35, was injured by a police bullet as he too blocked the synagogue doors. A friend said: “We heard Yoni was one of those who was bravely helping to barricade the door from the inside to stop the terrorist gaining entry.
“He was injured either from a stray police bullet or shrapnel and flying glass when the bullet hit the door.”
Synagogue chairman of trustees Alan Levy, who helped barricade the doors, told how al-Sharmie was waving his knife, trying to get in.
He said: “The heroes of the congregation who saw what was happening then came to the doors because he was trying to break the doors down to get in. We were barricading the doors between us with Rabbi Walker and a number of the other congregants. He couldn’t get in because we held the doors firm.”
Al-Sharmie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent, was shot dead by armed police within seven minutes of launching his horrific attack at around 9.30am. His family yesterday told of their shock at his actions and distanced themselves from him, although his father in the past posted his support of Hamas’ October 7 terror raid on Israel.
A witness claimed al-Sharmie shouted “this is what they get for killing our children” as he tried to get to worshippers in the synagogue. It was seen as a reference to Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza.
Rabbi Walker was asked if the attack may be related to Palestine. He replied: “We’ve definitely been feeling much less secure.
“It’s becoming more and more worrying over the last two years in particular. The level of hate which seems to be radiating towards us has been very worrying.
“I didn’t think it would actually become something physical.”
Keir Starmer and wife Lady Victoria visited the scene yesterday. The PM praised police after watching bodycam footage of the attack.
He told officers: “You had to deal with things on the ground as they were rolling out at speed. And the degree of professionalism and speed that you acted with was of the highest order. This was a dreadful attack, a terrorist attack to inflict fear.
“Attacking Jews because they are Jews. It’s really important that the whole country comes together, people of all faiths and no faith, stand in support and solidarity with our Jewish community.”
New Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally said of the synagogue attack in her first speech: “We are witnessing hatred that rises up through fractures across our communities.
“Hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart.” Former Deputy PM Angela Rayner attended a vigil for the victims. But her successor David Lammy faced the wrath of protesters.
A man and two women were yesterday arrested in connection with the synagogue attack, bringing the number in custody to six.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor said al-Sharmie “does not appear to be known to Counter-Terrorism Policing”. But the officer added: “At this stage, we believe he may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology.”