🔗 Share this article

A large number of attendees have attended the funeral rites for one of the two men who perished during Thursday's violent incident at the Jewish house of worship in the city of Manchester.

Relatives, congregants from the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation including Rabbi Daniel Walker, and representatives of the broader Jewish population came together in the Pendlebury neighborhood to pay their respects to Melvin Cravitz, aged 66.

Attendees filled the graveside area, with numerous individuals waiting beyond the chapel in the rain, following the proceedings and the tribute over audio systems.

Mr Cravitz was killed after an attacker crashed a car through and stabbed worshippers coming together for a ceremony to mark Yom Kippur – the most sacred occasion of the Hebrew calendar – at the synagogue in Heaton Park.

'Kind to all'

Rabbi Walker, who helped to prevent the perpetrator from gaining access to the house of worship, was among those at Melvin's memorial service.

In a memorial message released on the day after, the family of the victim appealed for space and said he would "do anything to help anyone".

They said: "His kindness and caring nature were evident to all, and he always sought conversation and connection."

"His dedication to his spouse and relatives was unwavering, and he had a passion for culinary delights."

A neighbor, a thirty-five-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."

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 been a community member for 20 years, remarked that the victim was a "wonderful person" and "remarkably serene".

"He would always say hello when you came past."

The additional fatality of the assault, Adrian Daulby, was referred to as a "hero" by his family in a tribute.

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

Three additional individuals were taken to hospital with critical conditions.

Law enforcement on Saturday evening said two men and two women remained in custody after being taken into custody on suspicion of terror-related activities.

An young woman and a man in his forties have been freed with no further legal steps.