Marc Cooper, who runs Coopers Let’s Fress Deli in Whitefield alongside his brother Richard, has been working relentlessly as the Jewish community in Greater Manchester prepares for Yom Kippur this year. The 57-year-old describes the period leading up to the High Holy Days as some of his busiest times, with schedules starting in the early hours of the morning to meet the demand for traditional festival foods. This year, however, the ongoing financial pressures have added new challenges. Marc notes rising costs for basic ingredients, with prices such as beef tomatoes nearly doubling in recent years and fish costs surging significantly. In response, he has implemented measures like installing light sensors to reduce energy bills, striving to balance expenses with value for his customers.

For Marc and many in the local Jewish community, Yom Kippur—a 25-hour fast dedicated to reflection and repentance—is a solemn occasion, bookended by meals before and after the fast. This year’s observance carries extra weight in Manchester, following the tragic attack during last year’s Yom Kippur at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, which Marc attends. The assault resulted in the deaths of two worshippers, Melvin Cravitz, 66, who was stabbed, and Adrian Daulby, 53, who died from injuries involving police gunfire. The incident has had a lasting impact on the community, intensifying concerns over safety during religious gatherings.

In response, security measures around synagogues across Greater Manchester have been significantly heightened. Greater Manchester Police announced that protection during this year’s High Holy Days will be managed with the same vigilance typically reserved for major public events such as football matches or concerts. Alongside armed officers, the community security volunteers, paid guards, and the Community Security Trust are all actively engaged in safeguarding places of worship. Marc, who volunteers as a synagogue guard, described the increased security as a necessary but difficult reality, emphasizing how the environment contrasts sharply with his childhood experiences.

Reflecting on past Yom Kippurs, Marc recalls freely moving through neighborhoods without concern for safety, a stark contrast to the present day when security gates are heavily fortified and the atmosphere can feel confining. He expressed a sense of unease about the parallels between current security measures—such as locked gates and controlled access—and historical experiences of Jewish communities during the Holocaust. While the security presence offers some reassurance, it also underscores the community’s vulnerability.

Marc also described changes in synagogue attendance protocols, where bringing visitors now requires advance notice and security checks are thorough for all, including long-standing members. Despite his respect for police involvement and recognition of their essential role, he voiced a widespread sentiment that the community should not have to rely on such levels of security to practice their faith safely.

Across Greater Manchester, visible policing and security at Jewish schools and places of worship are now commonplace, representing a painful shift in daily life for many Jewish residents. Marc’s experience highlights both the resilience and anxiety within the community as they approach Yom Kippur amid ongoing concerns over antisemitism and security.