Video: The Holtzbergs on Shlichus

Following the terrible tragedy last week Jewish Educational Media released video footage of the Holtzbergs out on Shlichus as well as an interview with Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg speaking about their Shlichus in Mumbai, India.

More videos in the Extended Article.

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Chabad-Lubavitch Officials Hold Press Conference

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Chabad-Lubavitch leadership called a press conference announcing the confirmation of the tragic news of the murder of the Chabad Shluchim Rabbi Gavriel and his wife Rivkah Holtzberg. Walking into the conference was Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, flanked by Police Commissioner Raymond Kelley and Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky.

More pictures in the Extended Article.

Why Do Bad things Happen to Good People

In regards to the terrible tragedy that occurred today, to the beloved directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Mumbai, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg two very Special Neshamas that were taken from this world.

I would like to present an answer the Rebbe gave to parents of a young girl Miriam, who at six years old was killed in a car accident in Berkley, California (Erev Pesach 1989). Following the death, the parents wrote a long letter to the Rebbe with many different questions regarding the nature of these types of tragedies. The Rebbe’s response did more than comfort – it provided a new focus to the mourning family. Also included is interesting picture of the Rebbe. The Rebbe attending a funereal in the winter of 1991. to learn more about the Rebbe see: www.portraitofaleader.blogspot.com.

Remembering Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg

By Benjamin Holtzman – Jewish Telegraphic Agency

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.

Boruch Dayan Hoemes – Shluchim Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg OBM

Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, the beloved directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Mumbai, were killed during one of the worst terrorist attacks to strike India in recent memory.

Jewish communities around the world reacted with shock to the loss of the couple, who were killed Thursday at their Chabad House during an apparent standoff between Indian military forces and terrorists.

Their toddler son, Moshe, managed to escape with his nanny some hours before Indian commandos stormed their building, known as the Nariman House, in the popular touristy neighborhood of Colaba. The Associated Press reported that the boy was unharmed, but was wearing blood-soaked pants.

Levaya information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Boruch Dayan Hoemes.

Mazal Tov! – 11 Sholom Zochors this Week!

Shaul and Rosie (nee Duchman) Perlstein.
IYH at 595 Lefferts Ave, [between Kingston and Albany Ave].

Yisroel and Sima Leah (nee Fleishman) Duato.
IYH at 701 Empire Blvd, Apt 1H, [between Albany and Troy Ave].

Adam and Miriam (nee Oster) Brooker.
IYH at 711 Eastern Pkwy, Apt 1 [between Kingston and Ave].

Levi and Rivky (nee Rosenberg) Wilhelm.
IYH at 807 Montgomery St, [between Albany and Troy Ave].

Yaacov and Devora (nee Holtzberg) Young.
IYH at 1419 President St, [between Kingston and Albany Ave].

Sruly and Devorah Leah Salek.
IYH at 26 Balfour Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11225 (MAP).

Dovi and Chani Meyers.
IYH at 1448 President St, [between Kingston and Albany Ave].

Pinchus and Chaya (nee Abramowitz) Morozow.
IYH at 479 Viola Rd, Spring Valley, NY 10977.

Shmuly and Toby (nee Tenenbaum) Lewis
IYH at 261 Glen Rd, NJ 07871.

Dov Ber and Devora Leah (nee Laufer) Thaler (Shluchim in Alpharetta, GA) .
IYH at 10115 Lauren Hall Ct, Alpharetta, GA 30022

Aharon (AJ) and Mimi Fehler.
IYH at 24 Frontenac Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Please stay tuned as we update this list as information becomes available. However, in an unfortunate event that we do not get all the Sholom Zochors this week, we are sorry. But you can help! If you know of any Sholom Zochors or Mazal Tovs you can email it to us at mazaltov@crownheights.info! Thank You.

Special: Photo Gallery of the Chabad House in Mumbai

At this time the attention of world is turned to the city of Mumbai in India where its nearly 48 hours since terror has gripped the city, and Rabbi Gavriel and his wife Rivka Holtzberg Shluchim to the city have been believed to be trapped inside the Chabad House, Nariman House. A few months ago photographer Meir Elfasi spent some time there.

More pictures in the Extended Article.

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

NSG Commandos Currently Operating in the Chabad House

What appears to be Tzitis being waved in one of the Chabad House window.

MUMBAI, India [CHI] — A short hour ago a helicopter air dropped a number of NSG commandos on the roof of the Chabad House, Nariman House, and are still operating within, there is believed to be 1 or 2 terrorists still inside the building.

Grim reports as to the fate of the Shluchim and other Jews that are being held are surfacing but a spokesman at Chabad.org is saying that nothing is confirmed and that we are still hoping for good news.

UPDATE: There are reports of Tzitis being seen waved in one of the windows of the Chabad House, the significance of this are not clear, we will update as soon as we get more information.

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

Oak Park School Prays for Sister Site in Mumbai

Detroit News

Mushkie Katz, 13, of Chicago, Ill., prays with her classmates. (Elizabeth Conley / The Detroit News)

OAK PARK, MI — While many television sets around Metro Detroit were tuned in to Thanksgiving Day parades and Lions football Thursday, supporters of the Lubavitch Cheder in Oak Park were watching news of the Mumbai terrorist attacks unfold thousands of miles around the globe.

More pictures in the Extended Article.

NYPD, Shomrim Escort Holtzbergs to the Airport

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — A joint effort between Merkos, Chabad.org, Ahavas Chesed, Shomrim and the Police put the Holtzberg family on a flight to Israel where they will be joining with the rest of the family in anticipation of meeting their son and daughter. The flight was arranged by Merkos and Ahavas Chesed while Shomrim provided a van and Police provided the escort to JFK.

More picutres in the Extended Article!

Israeli Rescue Team Heading to Mumbai, Parents of Shluchim too

MUMBAI, India [CHI] — CNN just reported that an Israeli rescue team known as “Zaka” is heading to Mumbai along with the parents of the Shlucha, they added that its believed that there are 2-3 gunmen inside the Nariman House Chabad House and 4 hostages including the Shliach, his wife and two guests. Moshe, son of the Shluchim, was rescued by a cook when she chanced on an opportunity to flee the building.

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

Boys and Girls Visit the Rebbes House and Room

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — In honor of Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the day the Rebbe recovered, in 1977, from a severe heart attack he suffered on Shemini Atzeret of that year, young children from Beis Rivkah and Oholei Torah visited the Rebbes room in 770 and house on President Street where they kissed the mezuzah.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Report: 7 Hostages released from Nariman House

MUMBAI, India [CHI] — NDTV is reporting that 7 people were confirmed to have been released from the Chabad house, also known as the Nariman House, and the identities of those that were released were not immediately known. NDTV is further reporting that there is a single terrorist left in the Taj Hotel and security forces are engaged in attempt to neutralize him.

Update: A fresh report from the front of Nariman House is saying that the people that made it out were speaking a language native to the neighborhood and it is not clear if they were rescued, released or managed to escape, but they were escorted out of the building by NSG commandos. There are more people being held on the 2nd and 4th floor and the Shliach and his wife are believed to be among them, and their condition still unknown.

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

Operation Underway, Commandoes in Chabad House

MUMBAI, India [CHI] — As of this morning, Thursday, 9:30am; Police commandoes are in middle of their operation to retake control of the Chabad House and are currently inside trying to clear the remaining terrorist out of the building. The condition of any hostages is unknown.

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