Rabbi Levi Shemtov Spoke to Terrorist

WASHINGTON, DC [AP] — An American rabbi said Sunday that he heard a woman’s desperate cry for help as he spoke to one of the assailants at the Mumbai Jewish center before everyone inside the building was killed.

Rabbi Levi Shemtov said he made contact with the gunman when he called the cellphone of Gavriel Holtzberg, one of the hostages at the Chabad House, after the attack began on Wednesday.

Op-Ed: Their Legacy; Our Destiny

The World Standing Still

For forty six hours, the world stood still. Multitudes of hearts were shattered, countless tears were shed and immeasurable words of Psalms were recited as myriads of anxious Jews around the world tuned in to the evolving events with a profound belief that salvation will imminently sprout from this inconceivable calamity. And yet, after almost two days, the horrific, heart-wrenching news emerged about the Chabad emissaries, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holzberg, fracturing our last remnants of hope. Indeed, “The secret things belong to G-d” . This tragedy is beyond the capacity of our intellect, afar from the human mind.

Nevertheless, its impact remains deep. Jews worldwide were uniquely captivated by it. Anguish and concern conquered Jewish homes and centers around the globe. Wherever one walked, whomever one met, this tragedy rapidly, captured the center stage of our conscious, and swiftly dominated many conversations. But why was this tragedy so perturbing? Which of its component led us to be particularly disturbed by it?

Captured Terrorist Says Chabad House was Targeted

MUMBAI, India — Did some Mumbai locals provide support to the Pakistani terrorists? Azam Amir Kasab, the only Pakistani terrorist nabbed alive, has revealed names and addresses of at least five people from the city who helped the terror operation.

Sources said that help like, providing shelter, taking them around and showing places, passing information on police stations and nakabandhis were given by these locals. Joint commissioner of police (crime) Rakesh Maria said,”We suspect there could be local assistants but it is subject to verification. It will be very premature to comment on this at this stage as our investigations is going on.”

Israeli Experts Criticize Indian Handling of Terror Attacks, Chabad House Raid

JERUSALEM, Israel — Israeli counterterrorism experts are critical of how Indian security forces handled last week’s terror attacks in Mumbai, especially their raid on the local Chabad center, Nariman House.

While acknowledging that Israel has never experienced a coordinated attack of such scope, the Israelis said the Indians failed to contain the attacks and raided Nariman House too lackadaisically.

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.