We’ve known something like this would happen for years. But that didn’t make it less shocking when it happened.

After attacks on Jewish shops, schools and synagogues across Europe, it felt like a matter of time before something would come to our shores in the United Kingdom. But an attack on a synagogue on Yom Kippur — this is particularly painful. There’s something about violence coming into a sacred place, at a sacred time, that feels particularly violating.

I was leading services as a rabbi at my synagogue in Borehamwood, in the London suburbs. Soon after 10 a.m. someone brought a message from our amazing security guard Vince: There had been an attack in Manchester, and all synagogues were asked to lock their doors. My son was complaining that he wasn’t allowed to play football outside any more.

I shared the news with one of gabbais, the lay leaders helping to run services, to ask her for advice. Her shocked face reminded me that she has siblings in Manchester. Looking around our congregation, I realized that so many have connections in Manchester — people born there, with family there, who went to university there.

We slipped out of the service to talk to........

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