Many members of the Jewish community attended the public vigil in the town on Tuesday to remember the victims, according to Isenwater.
Residents look at floral tributes for the victims of a deadly knife attack in Southport, northwest England, on July 31, 2024. Violent clashes broke out in the northern England town where a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event claimed the lives of three children. (Photo: Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images
The synagogue has also extended an offer of support to the local mosque after hundreds of demonstrators rioted outside of it on Tuesday night, following misinformation about the attacker.
He also confirmed that the synagogue had sent a message to the chair of the mosque and would be writing formally on behalf of the local Jewish community to offer support.
Southport Hebrew Congregation has built up a strong relationship with the mosque over the years, said Isenwater, telling the JC: “We have good relations with the mosque, and, for several years, the imam has spoken at the Holocaust Memorial Day Service, which we help to organise. Inter-community relations are important to us, and we don’t need people stoking tensions at this difficult time.”
Southport Hebrew Congregation (Credit: Google Earth)[Missing Credit]
Isenwater also stated that the town’s Jewish community would be making a donation to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, which has been treating the child victims of the stabbing attack.
Southport Hebrew Congregation, which joined the United Synagogue in 2020, is a small community made up of less than 100 members.
Southport & District Reform Synagogue was also able to offer its “immediate support” to the Imam at Southport Mosque, with whom they have an “excellent” relationship. Members of the shul have all been offered wellbeing support, with some attending a vigil in the town on Friday, August 2 alongside members of all Abrahamic faiths.
The shul’s Shabbat service last week incorporated special prayers for the victims of violence and for the grieving families, according to its chairman, Dr Selwyn Goldthorpe. It continues to liaise with other faith communities and Merseyside Police “in offering our support to bring peace to our community.”
“In Southport we stand united against religious prejudice and racism,” Goldthorpe said.
A 17-year-old boy from Cardiff has been charged with murder and attempted murder.
