Posted to Chabad News on

Indian Girl Named After Fallen Mumbai Emissary

by Tamar Runyan – Chabad.org

A non-Jewish family in India named their daughter – born on the third anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks – in memory of Rivka Holtzberg, the Chabad-Lubavitch emissary who was murdered alongside her husband Rabbi Gavriel Holzberg and their four guests at the Nariman House facility they operated as a Jewish center.

The massacre in the Chabad House was one of 11 instances where terrorists went on a killing spree that claimed the lives of almost 200 people and injured more than 300.

The baby, Rivka Nesamani Devasahayam, is the daughter of Samuel and Anne Devashayam, who after reading about the Holtzbergs credited them with being a “comfort to many of the wandering Jews.”

Samuel Devasahayam’s parents started a club in the 1970s called Friends of Israel. His daughter joins scores of children around the world named in memory of the Holtzbergs.

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6 Comments

  • nice

    I’m sure there will be negative comments but I think this shows just how far Rivky & Gabi HY”D’s remarkable influence reached and continues to reach. It’s really nice.

  • Tzippy

    This is certainly a good thing for a child to be named
    after a very Holy and special person, no matter what nation
    or religion they belong. Hopefully they will learn about
    the role of their namesake and will hopefully follow in her footsteps by being good caring individuals.

  • chayaf

    may Rivka and Gabi’s (HY”D) neshamas reach far and wide, and may they return speedily with moshiach and join their beautiful son. May this little girl always walk in her path, bringing light, love and kindness everywhere.
    we miss you, rivka and gabi

  • Marcus

    Really Really…. amazing work..
    In memory of Rivky… Israel has made her proud…