Initial Memorial Service Held for Greater Manchester Synagogue Assault Victim

Melvin Cravitz tribute image
Melvin Cravitz has been remembered as someone "friendly with everybody"

A large number of people were present at the memorial ceremony for one of the pair of individuals who perished during the recent synagogue attack in Manchester.

Family members, members from the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation along with Rabbi Daniel Walker, and representatives of the wider Jewish community came together in the Salford area to honor the memory to 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz.

Mourners occupied the cemetery forecourt, with numerous individuals standing beyond the prayer hall in the downpour, following the ceremony and the memorial speech over loudspeakers.

Melvin Cravitz was killed after an assailant crashed a car through and attacked with a knife attendees gathering for a religious observance to mark Yom Kippur – the holiest day of the Jewish calendar – at Heaton Park Synagogue.

'Kind to all'

The rabbi, who assisted in stopping the perpetrator from entering the religious building, was one of those at Mr Cravitz's burial ceremony.

In a statement released on the day after, Mr Cravitz's family asked for time alone and said he would "always assist others".

They commented: "He possessed a gentle, compassionate spirit and consistently engaged with others to build relationships."

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

Anthony Khan, a thirty-five-year-old neighbour who said he had known the victim since childhood, said: "He was friendly with everybody – he did not have a bad word with anybody."

Another local, Andy Kordas, stated: "Regularly, he would initiate discussions and show interest in my daily life."

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

'Cherished sibling'

Bilal Ahmad, who said he had been a community member for twenty years, remarked that the victim was a "exceptionally pleasant individual" and "very calm".

"He never failed to greet passersby."

The second casualty of the attack, Adrian Daulby, was described as a "courageous person" by his relatives in a memorial statement.

They further mentioned the 53-year-old was "an adored family member and caring uncle."

Three more people were transported for medical care with serious injuries.

Law enforcement recently said two men and two women continued to be held after being taken into custody on suspicion of terrorism offences.

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

Sarah Peterson
Sarah Peterson

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