LOS ANGELES, CA [CHI] — Amid the destruction and horror of the recent tragedies in Mumbai, FridayLight.org has initiated a worldwide campaign to transform the darkness into light. In honor of Rebbetzin Rivka Holtzberg, our dear Shlucha whose life was senselessly destroyed in Mumbai, along with the many innocent others, FridayLight calls on all women and girls worldwide to “Keep Rivka’s Flame Alive” through the power of lighting the Shabbat candles.
Fight the Darkness of Mumbai: Keep Rivka’s Flame Alive
LOS ANGELES, CA [CHI] — Amid the destruction and horror of the recent tragedies in Mumbai, FridayLight.org has initiated a worldwide campaign to transform the darkness into light. In honor of Rebbetzin Rivka Holtzberg, our dear Shlucha whose life was senselessly destroyed in Mumbai, along with the many innocent others, FridayLight calls on all women and girls worldwide to “Keep Rivka’s Flame Alive” through the power of lighting the Shabbat candles.
Rabbi Gavriel and Rebbetzin Rivka provided a beacon of light to countless visitors and residents of Mumbai. Rivka dedicated her short life of 27 years to offering kindness to others, striving to provide physical and spiritual comfort to all in need. Rivka’s mother, Yehudit Rosenberg, shared how her daughter would cook dinner for 30-40 people a night and for 50-60 on Shabbat: “Their house was always open and everyone was welcome.” Each woman and girl has the ability to carry on Rivka’s legacy and illuminate the world with Rivka’s trademark warmth and peace by lighting their own Shabbat candles, defying the darkness with light.
FridayLight asks every woman and girl to add their light today by visiting www.FridayLight.org. Names may be added to the list of those lighting in honor of Rivka, either as first time Shabbat candle lighters, or those continuing to light, now in Rivka’s memory. FridayLight asks all Shluchim and Anash to further spread the light by suggesting a Jewish woman who does not normally light candles to begin lighting in honor of Rivka, and watch the flames grow and brighten our world with peace, combating the intense darkness. The parents of Rivka Holtzberg, Rabbi Shimon and Yehudit Rosenberg, will be sent the list of names each Friday of those who have added themselves to this worldwide campaign in honor of their beloved daughter.
May the LIGHT of each candle usher in the Geula Shlaima with Moshiach now!
FridayLight is a campaign started in 2006 encouraging Jewish women worldwide to experience a weekly moment of inner peace, combat darkness, and connect to other Jewish women, through the timeless practice of lighting Shabbat candles. Jewish tradition teaches that the light and warmth of the Shabbat candles, lit just before sunset on Friday evening, have the power to illuminate one’s home, family, community, and the entire world. To perform the candle lighting, Signature FridayLight Starter kits are offered at www.FridayLight.org, as well as candle lighting times for worldwide locations. New for Shluchim and all organizations, please visit: www.myFridayLight.org
ugh
lighting candles friday night is a mitzva. and of the reasons provided it enhances family unity. and of course another candles means more light.
but nothing, NOTHING anyone will do will make rivka’s death meaningful. doing so perversely makes the case to kill more special people – it will then make more light becuase people need to do something.
she was murdered. senselessly. and she would surely not agree to what happened even if the result was that you would now light candles, if she was asked beforehand.
we do what we think is good and right. but don’t staple it to someone’s horrific trgedy. it is and was a tragedy that shouldsn’t be sugar-coted by people now doing good.
Tzvi Freeman
Dear ugh,
Despite everything you assert, we Jews believe that there is only one G_d and He runs the world. We therefore believe that nothing, absolutely nothing, happens without His hand involved. And He is good. And so, nothing is without meaning.
Rivka and Gaby, may Hashem avenge their blood, are called “K’doshim” because they died to sanctify G_d’s name. If you imagine that their death was meaningless, then you are saying that the death of the many millions of k’doshim throughout our history were meaningless as well, chas v’chalila.
I don’t believe that you truly think this. You are writing out of grief But you should watch your words.
What is the meaning? What is the purpose? The blanks are left on the page for us to fill in. If we run and cower and lie in our beds depressed, our enemies will provide the meaning for us. If we act now, defying terror with goodness, darkness with light, demonstrating to Avinu Shebashomayim that no matter what the risk, our entire lives are dedicated to bringing His light into His world, then Rivky’s light will not only continue to shine, it will shine brighter than ever imagined, as the light of the six days of Creation. May that be sooner than we can imagine. Like miyad mamesh!