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.
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.
BANGKOK, Thailand — With Bangkok’s airport shut down by anti-government protesters, Chabad of Thailand is prepared to host a greater number of visitors, mostly Israelis stranded in the country.
“We always have travelers so the shut down has not yet affected us in a significant way,” said Nechama Kantor, co-director of Chabad Thailand, the Jewish Association of Thailand Beth Elisheva Synagogue, Mikveh and Jewish Center.
Chabad in Bangkok Hosts Stranded Jews
BANGKOK, Thailand — With Bangkok’s airport shut down by anti-government protesters, Chabad of Thailand is prepared to host a greater number of visitors, mostly Israelis stranded in the country.
“We always have travelers so the shut down has not yet affected us in a significant way,” said Nechama Kantor, co-director of Chabad Thailand, the Jewish Association of Thailand Beth Elisheva Synagogue, Mikveh and Jewish Center.
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?
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?
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.''
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.”
In this undated video, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg HYD asks the Rebbe for a blessing for himself, and a blessing for a sick person to recover (“Refuah”). The Rebbe tells him (Yiddish) that he should have all that he needs.
Video – R Gavriel Holtzberg HYD Being Blessed By The Rebbe
In this undated video, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg HYD asks the Rebbe for a blessing for himself, and a blessing for a sick person to recover (“Refuah”). The Rebbe tells him (Yiddish) that he should have all that he needs.
I sit here and humbly write my words
My heart hurts
It bleeds for them
My tears are falling
I can't stop them.
I see the news
I see the faces
Of beautiful people
Precious souls
That have been taken
From us.
Why we keep asking
Do bad things happen
To good people?
A Poem – Save Us
I sit here and humbly write my words
My heart hurts
It bleeds for them
My tears are falling
I can’t stop them.I see the news
I see the faces
Of beautiful people
Precious souls
That have been taken
From us.Why we keep asking
Do bad things happen
To good people?
The Final Journey Gets Underway
ISRAEL — at this hour the final preparations are underway for the Israeli party that is heading for Mumbai, India to bring back the bodies of Rabbi Gavirel and his wife Rivkah Holtzberg, Rabbi Aryeh Leibush Teitelbaum, Rabbi Ben Tzion Korman, Norma Schwartzberg Rabinowitz and Yochved Orpaz who were murdered in the Chabad House.
More pictures in the Extended Article. (photos by: Bereleh Shainer – shturem.net)
This weeks Living Torah, titled “Nigun “Uforatzta”" (Volume 55, Episode 220)
Living Torah is a member supported project Become a member today at LivingTorah.org
Also available with Hebrew, French, Russian and Spanish subtitles in the Extended Article.
Video of the Day! – Nigun “Uforatzta”!
This weeks Living Torah, titled “Nigun “Uforatzta”” (Volume 55, Episode 220)
Living Torah is a member supported project Become a member today at LivingTorah.org
Also available with Hebrew, French, Russian and Spanish subtitles in the Extended Article.
NEW YORK [AP] — People late for school or work because of New York City subway delays can get notes from the transit agency to give to their teachers or bosses.
The New York City Transit division says it gives passengers the notes so they can prove they're not lying about being delayed while riding the subway.
Late workers, students get notes blaming NY subway
NEW YORK [AP] — People late for school or work because of New York City subway delays can get notes from the transit agency to give to their teachers or bosses.
The New York City Transit division says it gives passengers the notes so they can prove they’re not lying about being delayed while riding the subway.
Six Jewish lives were snuffed out when terrorists stormed the Chabad Jewish Center and Chabad House known as the Nariman House in India’s financial capitol, Mumbai. Terrorists stormed the building and for days held it siege, and viciously murdering everyone inside.
Clockwise from the top: Rabbi Gavirel and his wife Rivkah Holtzberg, the Shluchim that ran the Chabad House, Rabbi Aryeh Leibush Teitelbaum, Norma Schwartzberg Rabinowitz, Yochved Orpaz and Rabbi Ben Tzion Korman.
May G-d Avenge their Blood
Hashem Yikom Damam – The Murder Victims of the Terror in the Chabad House in Mumbai
Six Jewish lives were snuffed out when terrorists stormed the Chabad Jewish Center and Chabad House known as the Nariman House in India’s financial capitol, Mumbai. Terrorists stormed the building and for days held it siege, and viciously murdering everyone inside.
Clockwise from the top: Rabbi Gavirel and his wife Rivkah Holtzberg, the Shluchim that ran the Chabad House, Rabbi Aryeh Leibush Teitelbaum, Norma Schwartzberg Rabinowitz, Yochved Orpaz and Rabbi Ben Tzion Korman.
May G-d Avenge their Blood
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Two Bochurim on their way home from Shul were accosted and attackedby a large group of Black teens. One of the bochurim was knocked unconscious after being pistol-whipped, while the other male sustained injuries on his head and inside his mouth.
More in the Extended Article.
Two Bochurim Assaulted, Pistol Whipped and Knocked-Out
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Two Bochurim on their way home from Shul were accosted and attackedby a large group of Black teens. One of the bochurim was knocked unconscious after being pistol-whipped, while the other male sustained injuries on his head and inside his mouth.
More in the Extended Article.

Mumbai Horror: Rescue Workers Shocked by Chabad Massacre Site
MUMBAI, India — Israel Police forensic teams will be heading to Mumbai Sunday on an Air Force plane in order to offer their assistance in identifying the remaining bodies in the Chabad House massacre.
Officials are saying that eight or nine people were murdered at the Jewish center. Six bodies have been identified so far – five Israelis and a Jewish Mexican national.
More pictures in the Extended Article. (Graphic).
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.
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.
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.
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.