THE funeral for Manchester synagogue terror attack victim Melvin Cravitz was held today.
The 66-year-old, described by family as a man who “would do anything to help anyone”, was tragically killed in the horror on Thursday.
A vigil was held outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, Manchester, on Friday[/caption]
Killer Jihad Al-Shamie carried out the knife and car rampage[/caption]
Melvin Cravitz, 66, was killed in the attack on Thursday morning[/caption]
Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, unleashed terror when he went on a seven-minute rampage and ploughed his car into Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, in Crumpsall.
Adrian Daulby, 53, was also killed in the horror, while three others were rushed to hospital.
Heartbroken family members and friends gathered today in Pendlebury, Salford, to pay tribute to Melvin at his funeral, including Rabbi Daniel Walker.
Daniel Walker has been hailed for his quick-thinking after the fanatic targeted the temple.
The rabbi led the service, which was attended by around 300 people.
Marc Levy, chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, said: “I would like to pay tribute to Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, whose funeral is taking place this moment whilst we are here today.”
In a heartwarming tribute, released through Greater Manchester Police, his family said previously: “Melvin would do anything to help anyone.
“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. He will be sorely missed by his wife, family, friends and community.
“We ask for privacy as we try to come to terms with this shocking loss.”
It comes as Shabana Mahmood today warned there antisemitism and “other forms of hatred” is on the rise in the UK.
She told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “I am very worried about the state of community relations in our country.
“I know I, as the Home Secretary, have a responsibility to think about the action the Government can take to strengthen our communities, to make sure people are well integrated into our society.”
On Times Radio she continued: “We have a broader problem of a rise not only in antisemitism but in other forms of hatred as well.
Tributes have also been paid to 53-year-old Adrian Daulby who died in the attack[/caption]
Forensic teams worked at the scene[/caption]
“There are clearly malign and dark forces running amok across our country.”
Meanwhile, a security guard who helped barricade the synagogue during the deadly terror attack also spoke out today and described how the horror unfolded.
Alan Levy said he was in the car park when he saw Al-Shamie, who he described as a “jihadist monster”.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: “I was there when he crashed his car into the synagogue gates and ran down the security guard that was there and attacked a volunteer security guard and tried to gain access into the synagogue.”
Alan then ran into the synagogue and helped to get it locked down.
He and others worked together to barricade the doors and halt the attacker who was “shoulder-charging the doors trying to get in”.
He went on to say: “He was throwing plant pots at the glass. He was using a knife to try and get in.
“These brave men basically saved the community from further harm.”
Alan said all he could think was “we’ve got to keep these doors closed”.
Six people have been arrested in relation to the attack, but two have since been released without charge.
Two men, aged 30 and 32, as well as a 61-year-old woman arrested in Farnworth will remain in custody for “up to a further five days”.
Cops have also since revealed Al-Shamie was on bail over a suspected rape at the time of the rampage – though the Home Office has said he was not on the radar of counter-terror cops.
Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating Greater Manchester Police’s handling of the shooting, and says it will examine “whether police may have caused or contributed to the death” of Mr Daulby.
Al-Shamie, 35, thought to be of Syrian descent, was given British citizenship in 2006 having arrived as a young child.
Armed officers gunned him down amid fears he was wearing a bomb – though it was later determined to be a fake.
‘SECRET WIFE’
It comes after The Sun revealed yesterday, the extremist secretly “married” an NHS nurse who converted to Islam, according to a source.
Elizabeth Davis, 46, is said to have told her family about him only after the synagogue attack.
Al-Shamie’s first marriage reportedly fell apart six months ago.
The Sun on Sunday cannot confirm if mum-of-five Elizabeth, of Bolton, was legally his second wife.
The Sun on Sunday also revealed how Al-Shamie was a stoner teenage school dropout who was obsessed with violent video game Street Fighter, according to a friend.
The pal – who lost touch with the extremist several years ago – said he would smoke around 2g of strong skunk a day when he was a teen and frequently felt the wrath of his parents.
Meanwhile, neighbours said Al-Shamie would spend his time lifting weights in his garage or wander around in his pyjamas and flip flops.
Al-Shamie was shot dead by cops after seven-minutes[/caption]
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer visited the site[/caption]
