Mumbai-Based Chabad Rabbi & Rebbetzin Murdered in Terror Attack at Chabad House

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE RELIEF FUND.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Chabad Jewish Center, 8707 W. State St., Boise, ID 83714. The service is open to the public.

Dear Friends,

Our hearts are shattered at the news from Mumbai that our brother and sister, Rabbi Gabi and Rivka Holtzberg, were among those murdered in the terrorist attack on the Chabad House there.

Rabbi & Mrs. Holzberg gave up the comforts of life in the West to share their love of Judaism and the warmth of their family with people of all backgrounds in India. With lots of hard work and dedication, they opened the Chabad House in Mumbai – a home to thousands of Jewish tourists, Israeli backpackers and international business-travelers.

The Holzbergs moved to India a number of years back to serve as a beacon of Jewish light in Mumbai, and like directors of thousands of Chabad centers world-wide, they proudly served on the frontlines of a raging spiritual battle - spreading Jewish knowledge and observance to the far-flung corners of the earth.

Gabi & Rivka made the ultimate sacrifice for their faith and their community. They lived and died as exemplars of the Jewish people. Two bright lights have been extinguished… and tonight their 2-year-old son Moshe will mark his second birthday... (Can you imagine? A double yahrzeit and a birthday...).

We don't begin to understand G‑d’s ways, nor are we expected to. Only G‑d Himself can restore the light of Moshe'le's life, and comfort him and the rest of this aching world.

"Oh, G‑d, Why?" is the question that sears the mind, but we know that is a question that we cannot answer; we have no words, we have no answers.  The one question that we can and must answer is, "What are we going to do? How will we react?"

We only know that until He does that, we must continue their life's work. They deserve no less.

We will continue to try and emulate Gabi and Rivka, to seek out our brothers and sisters in every corner of the globe with love and commitment, to give every one of them the opportunity to ignite the flame of their souls until that day when, in a world filled with that reflected light and warmth, G‑d Himself will wipe the tears from every face.

Perhaps, the strength to carry on can be found in this story.

And so, dear friends, in response the many who are asking what can be done to help: Please do an extra Mitzvah.

Women: Please light Shabbat candles. Shabbat candle-lighting time for Boise tonight is at 4:52 PM.

Gentlemen: Please lay Tefillin. We will meet at the Chabad Jewish Center on Sunday morning, Nov. 30 at 9:00 AM to put on Tefillin. We will be happy to assist the uninitiated.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the Chabad Jewish Center, 8707 W. State St., Boise, ID 83714. The service is open to the public.

To contribute to the relief fund for the family and the rebuilding of the Chabad House in Mumbai, India, please click here.

May we share only good news with each other.

Wishing you all Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Mendel & Esther

Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho