'Always there for everyone'

FAMILIES AND FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTES TO MEN LOST IN

- By EMMA GILL

Melvin Cravitz

TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'heart of the community' who was killed in Thursday's synagogue terror attack.

Melvin Cravitz, 66, was one of two men killed following an attack by Jihad Al-Shamie outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Thursday morning.

Melvin, who grew up in north Manchester, attending Plant Hill Secondary School in Blackley as a child, had worked for around 25 years at Halpern's Kosher Supermarket on Leicester Road, in the heart of Salford's Jewish community.

His family said: "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."

A police cordon remained in place outside the synagogue on Middleton Road as the local community and leaders including Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Manchester council leader Bev Craig, Rabbi Daniel Walker and Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson gathered for a vigil to the victims.