Manchester synagogue attack victim Melvin Cravitz’s funeral held

Hundreds of people have attended the funeral service for one of the two men who were killed in Thursday’s synagogue attack in Manchester.

Family members, congregants from the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation including Rabbi Daniel Walker, and members of the wider Jewish community gathered in Pendlebury, Salford, to pay their respects to Melvin Cravitz, 66.

Mourners filled the cemetery forecourt, with many standing outside the prayer hall in the rain, listening to the service and the eulogy over loudspeakers.

Mr Cravitz died after an attacker rammed a car into and stabbed worshippers gathering for a service to mark Yom Kippur – the holiest day of the Jewish calendar – at Heaton Park Synagogue.

Rabbi Walker, who helped to prevent attacker Jihad Al-Shamie from entering the synagogue, was among those at Mr Cravitz’s funeral.

In a tribute released on Friday, Mr Cravitz’s family asked for privacy and said he would “do anything to help anyone”.

They said: “He was so kind, caring and always wanted to chat and get to know people.

“He was devoted to his wife, family and loved his food.”

Anthony Khan, a 35-year-old neighbour who said he knew Mr Cravitz “all my life”, said: “He was friendly with everybody – he did not have a bad word with anybody.”

Another neighbour, Andy Kordas, said: “He always used to come over and have a chat and ask me what I was up to.

“He always had a smile on his face. It’s just terrible.”

Bilal Ahmad, who said he had lived in the area for 20 years, added that Mr Cravitz was a “very nice guy” and “very calm”.

“He would always say hello when you came past.”

The other victim of the attack, Adrian Daulby, was described as a “hero” by his family in a tribute.

They also said the 53-year-old was “a beloved brother and loving uncle”.

Three other men were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police late on Saturday said two men and two women remained in custody after being arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.

An 18-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man have been released with no further action.