Mumbai Neighbourhood Uneasy over Return of Chabad House

MUMBAI, India [AFP] — People living close to a Jewish prayer centre besieged by Islamist fanatics who murdered its rabbi and his wife fear that if it reopens their Mumbai neighbourhood could once again become a terror target.

Some residents near Nariman House said they would rather the ultra-orthodox Jewish movement that owns the badly damaged building did not return as planned.

Young Energy Magnate Promises ‘Taking Care of Chabad A Priority’

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL — Shattered by the murders in Mumbai, one energy magnate is picking up the pieces by making a significant contribution to a Florida Chabad center.

For Emissaries-To-Be, a Defiant Mood

MORRISTOWN, NJ — If, as its followers sometimes insist, Chabad-Lubavitch is an “army of Hashem,” or God, then the Rabbinical College of America is its West Point.

The Morristown seminary is a main training ground for the Chabad shluchim, or emissaries, who are dispatched around the world to open outreach centers in places ranging from comfortable suburbs to developing cities like Mumbai.

Strengthening Riots in Greece Keep Jewish Residents on Edge

ATHEN, Greece — As riots in Greece’s two largest cities extended into their third day with some of the worst violence seen yet, the Jewish community of Athens is safe, but apprehensive. The Chabad-Lubavitch center that Rabbi Mendel and Nechama Hendel have operated since 2001 is operating as usual, with the couple regularly checking up on residents by telephone.

Speaking Monday night as anarchist youths took their spree of arson and vandalism closer to the capital’s Parliament, the rabbi said that the previous two hours had seen a drastic intensification in the protesters’ actions.

Synagogue’s Anniversary

S. PETERSBURG, Russia [FJC] — Today, the Jewish community of S. Petersburg is marking the anniversary when, exactly 115 years ago on December 8th, 1893, its Great Choral Synagogue was built. Built on Bolshaya Masterskaya Street (now Lermontov Avenue), a festive ceremony took place on that historic day so many years ago in order to consecrate the new Great Choral Synagogue.

Today’s ceremony took place in the very same central prayer hall that has, thank G-d, once again come to be the center of Jewish life in Russia’s northern capital, hosting Jewish holidays, lectures, concerts and other gatherings.

I’m Still Waiting For You, Rivki

KATAMANDU, Nepal — Chani Lifshitz, Chabad representative in Katamandu, Nepal, wrote a letter to her close friend, Rivkah Holtzberg, following the tragedy in Mumbai. Lubavitch.com presents a translation from the Hebrew that appeared in the Israeli paper, Yediot Achronot.