Maidenhead rabbi calls for unity in the wake of Manchester synagogue attack

A Maidenhead rabbi has called for a ‘strong voice’ to promote togetherness and unity in the wake of the Manchester synagogue attack last week.

Rabbi René Pfertzel, who became Maidenhead Synagogue’s new rabbi last year, said he felt a ‘mixture of different feelings’ after hearing of the attack during Yom Kippur on Thursday, October 2 at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, which saw two people killed and left three in a serious condition.

Rabbi René said: “I’m really sad that this has happened.

“I’m not very surprised. I’m French, so I’ve seen this happening in France already 20 years ago.”

Following last week’s attack, flowers had been left at the gates of the synagogue and supportive messages were also received from local clergy and communities of different faiths.

Rabbi René said there are ‘already a lot security measures’ in place, that are being reviewed ‘constantly’.

“The police [have] been amazing, really amazing, very supportive. They’re patrolling the neighbourhood, they come every time we have an event.”

Following the incident, police were

deployed to synagogues around the country.

Rabbi René said officers attended their places of worship ‘immediately after hearing what’s happened in Manchester’.

“At the moment, there’s so many divisions and [it’s] a bit worrying,” he said.

He said ‘moral leadership’ is needed to combat antisemitism and division.

“We’ve got some parties who are showing divisions and thriving on divisions, and where is the moral leadership here?

“We really need that strong voice.

“There’s too many voices and we need to hear a message of unity and of togetherness.”

He was also critical of the ‘very, very binary’ discourse that has surrounded the war in Gaza.

“That truly angers me because we can’t actually look at the situation with objective eyes because whatever you say, when you get sucked into one side of a discussion, there’s no room for complex thinking, for creative solution,” he said.

“If you think about how the far right and the far left are using the Muslim community and the Jewish community to advance their own agenda, it’s really disgusting.”

Despite divisions in communities, the rabbi said he had been given hope after meeting ‘so many people who are so supportive’.

Sharing his main message, he added: “Don’t be afraid of difference. Difference is not a threat, difference is an opportunity to be enriched by the other.

“We don’t need to be all on the same page, but we need to accept that there is something bigger than just our small communities.”

The Manchester attack has also led to messages from other faith leaders encouraging harmony and interfaith dialogue in Maidenhead and the surrounding area.

Zia Mahiudin, a trustee at Maidenhead Mosque, said: “This horrific event is a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance against hatred, intolerance, and division in all their forms.

“As a community, Maidenhead Mosque has and always will remain dedicated to promoting harmony, dialogue, and unity among people of all faiths and backgrounds.

“In times of darkness, it is through compassion and collective resolve that we find light.

“We have invited leaders from all faiths to attend a meeting at the mosque and discuss ways in which we can create a safer and more peaceful community.”

On Saturday, October 18, the Windsor and Maidenhead Community Forum (WAMCF) is hosting a Maidenhead Interfaith Gathering between 3pm and 4.30pm at All Saints Church, as part of the Week of Prayer for World Peace.

The event will bring together people of all faiths and none and will feature prayers, scripture, meditation, poetry, music, and song.

The programme will feature contributions from several faith representatives in the area. 

It will be attended by Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds, RBWM deputy mayor Sian Martin and Vice Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire Graham Barker. 

There will be refreshments available at the conclusion of the event.