First Memorial Service Held for Manchester Synagogue Assault Casualty

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

A large number of mourners have attended the funeral rites for a member of the two men who were killed the recent assault at the synagogue in the city of Manchester.

Family members, congregants from the Heaton Park Synagogue along with Rabbi Daniel Walker, and members of the wider Jewish community assembled in the Pendlebury neighborhood to honor the memory to Melvin Cravitz, aged 66.

Attendees crowded the graveside area, with many waiting outside the memorial building in the downpour, hearing the proceedings and the memorial speech over loudspeakers.

The victim died after an assailant rammed a car into and stabbed congregants gathering for a service to commemorate the holiest Jewish holiday – the most important observance of the Jewish calendar – at the synagogue in Heaton Park.

'Kind to all'

Rabbi Walker, who assisted in stopping the assailant from breaching the house of worship, was present at the victim's funeral.

In a memorial message released on Friday, the family of the victim appealed 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."

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

A neighbor, a mid-thirties local who said he had known the victim since childhood, remarked: "He greeted everyone warmly and refrained from negative comments about others."

Another local, Andy Kordas, a community member, 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."

'Adored family member'

Bilal Ahmad, an area resident, who said he had resided locally for 20 years, remarked that Melvin was a "exceptionally pleasant individual" and "very calm".

"A friendly hello was his standard response to anyone nearby."

The additional fatality of the assault, the other individual who lost his life, was described as a "courageous person" by his loved ones in a tribute.

They further mentioned the 53-year-old was "a beloved brother and loving uncle."

Three additional individuals were admitted to the hospital with significant wounds.

Police on Saturday evening said two males and two females continued to be held after being arrested on allegations involving terror-related activities.

An 18-year-old woman and a middle-aged male have been freed with no further legal steps.

Brandon Vargas
Brandon Vargas

A Milan-based historian and travel writer passionate about Italian architecture and cultural heritage.