Remembering Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg

Just minutes ago I heard the terrible news that five Israeli hostages were found dead inside the Chabad center at Nariman house in Mumbai. Although the media hasn’t officially confirmed their identities yet, it seems quite certain that they are Chabad Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, his wife Rivka, an Israeli couple and another Israeli.

After having been glued to the news for two days straight, relentlessly combing through twitter updates, news reports, and blogs, I am totally exhausted, yet feel compelled to write something about these great people I knew.

I lived in Mumbai for six months last year, and would go to the Beit Chabad with friends for a Shabbat meal about every second week. Over the course of six months, we got to know the rabbi and his wife quite well.

Heavy Gunfire, Explosions at Nariman House, Chabad House

MUMBAI, India [CHI] — Heavy gunfire reported at the Chabad House, Nariman House, less then an hour ago there was some sort of missile fired at the building blowing a hole in one of the walls and NSG Commandos swarmed in, CNN-IBN is reporting that there were 2 terrorists killed together with 5 hostages as well R”L.

It is unknown weather the Shluchim were among the 5, fighting is reported to be confined to the top floor of the Chabad House where commandong are ‘combing’ the floors for explosives and additional threats.

The condition of the Shluchim is still unknown. Please continue saying Tehillim for Gavriel Noach ben Freida Bluma, and his wife Rivka bas Yehudis.

Click the Extended Article to say Tehilim

Confirmed: Shliach’s Child Safe!

MUMBAI, India [CHI] — The Shliach’s son, Moshe, is now safe in a local hospital and is in good condition. Moshe was taken out of the Chabad House by a maid together with the Chabad House cook, according to a reliable source on the ground. The whereabouts of the parents are still unknown.

Commandoes Getting Ready to Retake Chabad House

MUMBAI, India [CHI] — As of this morning, Thursday, 5:00am, reports have been coming in; Police commandoes are are increase alertness, and seem to be getting ready to try retaking the Chabad House. The Police have managed to injure or kill one of the terrorist inside. It is unknown who are hostages or their condition at the Chabad House.

Click the Extended Article to say Tehilim

Search for Foreigners Mounts After Terrorists Strike Mumbai

Please say Tehillim for Gavriel Noach ben Freida Bluma, his wife Rivka bas Yehudis and their son Moshe Tzvi ben Rivka and anyone affected by the tragedy.

MUMBAI, India — Terrorists attacked multiple locations in Mumbai, India, late Wednesday night, with much of the gunfire occurring near the Chabad-Lubavitch center run by Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg.

Sholom Rubashkin is Denied Bail

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA [AP] — A judge has ruled that the former manager of an Iowa slaughterhouse that was the site of a large immigration raid is a flight risk and should remain in federal custody.

Judge Considers Releasing Ex-Agriprocessors Leader

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — A federal prosecutor warned Wednesday that if a judge releases Sholom Rubashkin from jail, the former Agriprocessors executive could quickly flee to Israel.

“The risk of flight here is acute, it’s too great,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan said in court.

But Rubashkin’s lawyer said his client is tightly tied to his family and the community of Postville, where he ran the packing plant for years. The lawyer, Baruch Weiss, added that Israel has a strong extradition agreement with the United States. Even if he somehow could get to Israel after surrendering his U.S. passport, Weiss said, Rubashkin surely would be sent back. “With these sorts of charges, he will not find a home in Israel, and he knows that.”

Kosher Meat Market Widens

DNEPROPETROVSK, Ukraine [FJC] — The Dnepropetrovsk-based ‘AS’ Company, a leading producer of kosher meat in this part of eastern Ukraine, has announced the provision of its new service – the delivery of its products to customers’ homes.

Agriprocessors Poultry Production to Resume Thursday

POSTVILLE, IA — The Agriprocessors meatpacking plant in Postville suspended production Monday, but one of its officials said the operation should reopen later this week.

Houses Saved, and Burned, by Rapidly Advancing Fires in Southern California

LOS ANGLES, CA — As residents throughout Southern California faced the unenviable task of returning to charred homes after a series of wildfires swept across bone-dry municipalities, religious communities sprung into action to offer help and words of hope.

Agri Woes Continue to Mount

DES MOINES, IA — The former leader of a controversial meatpacking plant has been arrested again, this time on a federal bank-fraud charge.

Sholom Rubashkin, 49, who ran the Agriprocessors, Inc. plant for years, was arrested in Postville this morning, said Bob Teig, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office. Rubashkin was scheduled to appear in court in Cedar Rapids at 11 a.m. today.

Photos: Last Day of the Campus Shabbaton

Sunday marked the last day of a weekend full of inspiration and growth. Students Davend together, had meals together, and heard inspiring lectures on a variety of subjects. The students took walking tours of the neighborhood, learning about a Mikvah, and seeing some of the process of making a Sefer Torah.

Op-Ed: Why Obama’s Win is Good

For the past few days, my world has been saturated with the news of President-Elect Barack Obama. Most of the statements I have heard were very negative or very positive – not much in the middle. Surprisingly, however, both extremes followed a similar theme: “It’s the end of the world as we know it.”

As a Chabad Rabbi, my initial thoughts were against the President-Elect and much of his platform. Weighing his policy towards Israel, a land dear to myself and my brethren, and envisioning a world gone mad held in the palm of his hand, truly pierced me to the core.

History and Buzz Aside, Voter Turnout in City Barely Topped 2004 Figure

NEW YORK, NY — More New York City residents voted for Barack Obama on Tuesday than for John Kerry in 2004 and for Al Gore in 2000. But an analysis suggests that overall turnout increased only slightly from four years ago.

Blueprints for Auschwitz camp found in Germany

BERLIN, Germany — The original construction plans believed used for a major expansion of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz in 1941 have been found in a Berlin flat, Germany’s Bild newspaper reported on Saturday.

The daily printed three architect’s drawings on yellowing paper from the batch of 28 pages of blueprints it obtained. One has an 11.66 meter by 11.20 meter room marked “Gaskammer” (gas chamber) that was part of a “delousing facility.”