'Absolute horror'

Outpouring of grief at attack that feels 'close to home'

- KRISTY DAWSON Reporter [e-mail]

The police investigation continues at the scene near Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester

PEOPLE from Jewish communities in Newcastle have been left “horrified” after two people were killed at a synagogue in Greater Manchester.

Police rushed to Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday after reports of a car being driven towards members of the public and a man being stabbed.

Firearms officers shot dead a man believed to be the offender and the attack is being treated as a terror incident.

The incident took place on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish religious calendar, and a large number of people were worshipping at the synagogue at the time.

Leslie Boobis, joint president of the Representative Council of North East Jewry, which represents the interests of Jewish people in the area, said the attack felt “close to home” as he knows the rabbi and the synagogue well.

The 75-year-old, who lives just outside Newcastle, said: “It happened on Yom Kippur, the most important festival in the Jewish calendar.

“The orthodox community will not access news or telephones (on the day) and because of that there would have been a delay in the most religious people being informed about what was going on.

“There was absolute horror that this could have happened on such a holy day. Many of us have family in Manchester.

“I had family in Manchester and I know the synagogue - it's one I used to go to when I was little. My mum’s sister lived there and I used to go and visit them quite a lot. I know the area very well indeed.

“I'm a personal friend of the Rabbi, so it was one that really struck home. For many young people it was the first time in their lives that this has happened.