Shluchim of LI Gather for Prayer Service

MINEOLA, NY [CHI] — Shluchim of Long Island gathered yesterday at Chabad of Mineola, which is directed by Rabbi Anchel Perel, for a memorial and prayer service in memory of those murdered in the Chabad House in Mumbai, India.

More pictures in the Extended Article!

Led by Chazzan R. Faitel Levin the sizable crowd recited Tehillim and Kel Molai Rachaim, following which Rabbi Tuvia Teldon gave a very uplifting speech. After the service the crowd made their way down to the media room where they watched video footage of the Holtzbergs talking about their Shlichus.

The Shluchim convened privately to discuss hachlotos and had a goral between themselves to send one to Israel to attend the Levaya. Rabbi Levi Gurkov was the original winner, but he could not go so the second winner, Rabbi Raify Konikov went in his stead.

Mr. Mohinder Taneja, Director of Nassau Countys Minority Affairs, who himself is an Indian American Sikh attended the service in a show of solidarity saying “These are very tough times. We all have to come together and condemn these acts.”

At the 45-minute service, the rabbis sang soulful songs of mourning in Hebrew and spontaneously stood up, arms on each other’s shoulders, to sing the “Kel Maleh Rachamim,” the prayer for the dead. Five candles were lit for victims at the Nariman House.