First funeral held for synagogue attack victim

Melvin Cravitz has been described as being "friendly with everybody"

Hundreds of people have attended the funeral service for Melvin Cravitz, 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 Mr Cravitz, 66.

Mourners filled the cemetery forecourt with many standing outside the prayer hall in the rain, listening to the service 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, led the funeral service, which was attended by about 300 people.

'Always a kind word'

Speaking some time after the service, Rob Kanter, vice president at the synagogue, described Mr Cravitz as a "loving, charismatic, humourous man who always meant well and loved his community and loved his family".

"At this time, we can only come together through goodness and hope and bringing people together.

"I know Melvin - that would be something he lived by and an adage he would want carried on after his sad demise."

He added that it would take "some time to really internally settle the gravity of what's happened to Melvin and all of us".

"But I think what we are all determined to do is to carry on with dignity, living full Jewish lives as proud members of British society."

Local resident Aron said Mr Cravitz worked in a nearby grocery, adding: "Because he had a public job in that sense, he knew so many people and that's why it's really rippled through - so many people had that first-hand connection.

"He was always there, always patient with everyone, always a kind word."

Hannah Salomon, who also knew Mr Cravitz, said he "made everyone feel like they were family".

"So even if you weren't related by blood, as a people, our ways are that we all feel connected and Melvin really lived that."

Hannah Salomon said Mr Cravitz "made everyone feel like they were family"

In a tribute released on Friday, Mr Cravitz's family 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", added: "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."

The synagogue's vice-president Rob Kanter said Mr Cravitz wanted people to "come together through goodness and hope"

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.

Late on Saturday, police 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.