Initial Funeral Conducted for Greater Manchester Jewish House of Worship Attack Casualty

Melvin Cravitz tribute image
Melvin Cravitz was remembered as being "kind to all"

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral service for a member of the pair of individuals who were killed the recent synagogue attack in the city of Manchester.

Relatives, members from the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation along with the congregation's rabbi, and representatives of the broader Jewish population assembled in Pendlebury, Salford to honor the memory to Melvin Cravitz, 66.

Those present filled the cemetery forecourt, with a significant number waiting outside the memorial building in the rain, following the ceremony and the memorial speech over public address systems.

Melvin Cravitz lost his life after an attacker rammed a car into and assaulted worshippers assembling for a religious observance to commemorate the Day of Atonement – the most important observance of the Hebrew calendar – at the synagogue in Heaton Park.

'Kind to all'

The rabbi, who played a role in halting the attacker from breaching the synagogue, was one of those at Mr Cravitz's funeral.

In a memorial message released on the day after, his relatives appealed for privacy and said he would "readily offer support to those in need".

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

"He cherished his marital and family bonds deeply and took great pleasure in dining."

Anthony Khan, a local resident, a thirty-five-year-old local who said he knew Mr Cravitz "all my life", remarked: "He was friendly with everybody – he did not have a bad word with anybody."

A different resident, Andy Kordas, recalled: "He frequently approached for conversation and inquired about my activities."

"He always had a smile on his face. It's just terrible."

'Adored family member'

Bilal Ahmad, who said he had resided locally for two decades, remarked that Melvin was a "very nice guy" and "remarkably serene".

"He never failed to greet passersby."

The additional fatality of the attack, Adrian Daulby, was described as a "brave individual" by his family in a public message.

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

Three additional individuals were taken to hospital with significant wounds.

Law enforcement recently said four individuals were still detained after being apprehended on allegations involving terror-related activities.

An teenage female and a man in his forties have been discharged with no further legal steps.

Steve Miller
Steve Miller

A passionate traveler and writer sharing experiences from journeys across the UK and beyond.