Local Jewish community mourns attacks in Mumbai
Rabbis, Israeli Consul General offer support, hope
BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer
The local Jewish community is mourning the murder of more than 175 people in the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.

MICHAEL ACKER Rabbi Levi Azimov of the Chabad of South Brunswick led a memorial service for the victims of the Mumbai, India, tragedy of last week, including Rabbi Gavriel and Rikvah Holtzberg, seen in the photograph.

The congregation at the Chabad Jewish Center of South Brunswick recently mourned the tragedy at their Riva Avenue Chabad in North Brunswick on Monday night.

Rabbi Levi Azimov had deep connections with Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah, who were found dead at the Nariman Chabad Center in Mumbai. Their nanny rescued their toddler son, Moishie, who marked his second birthday last week.

The Holtzbergs had directed a Chabad center that serviced the local Jewish community in Mumbai, as well as thousands of tourists and business people. The massacre did not deter their resolve to continue the good work of the Holtzbergs, despite the likelihood that the couple was targeted for their religious beliefs.

"One thing we know is nothing will [defeat] us," Azimov said. "We will stay strong."

Azimov said there are no words to describe the deep pain this tragedy has caused for its victims, including the hundreds of civilians who were injured in the attacks. He also said that the Holtzbergs dedicated their lives to helping others and made significant sacrifices by starting a Chabad in India.

The Holtzbergs' example inspired others to continue their work in Mumbai, Azimov said. He said the congregation is going to send a gift to the Holtzbergs' family to comfort them as best as they can.

"We will continue their legacy," Azimov said.

The congregation recited Psalm 20 and lit candles in the memory of those who died in Mumbai. Azimov said when a life is extinguished, lighting a candle symbolizes a new light in the world.

Lee Livingston, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, also spoke before the group.

"We all mourn the passing of the Holtzbergs," Livingston said. "We all do mourn everyone else who was killed in a serious of senseless acts of violence."

Jews are hated despite their compassion for all people, Livingston said. He also said that this event is a reminder that Jews are not safe from acts of terror anywhere in the world.

"It is also a reminder that we'll never be silenced again and we'll never hide again," Livingston said.

Toby Tuckman, a Kendall Park resident and member of the congregation, said that Chabads, like the one the Holtzbergs started in Mumbai, exist all over the world, in places where there are few Jews, like Vietnam and Thailand. She said young people who start such endeavors should be appreciated for their courage.

"We have to emulate people like this," Tuckman said.

Also in honor of the attacks, the Israeli Consul General Ambassador Asaf Shariv visited New Brunswick on Monday. Shariv said he was inspired by the energy and spirit he witnessed among the Chabad rabbis.

He quoted Sandra, the Indian woman who saved the life of Moishie, who had received permission to leave India and live in Israel for two years, to help raise Moishie. When asked, why only two years? She responded, "Because I know that the Chabad House will be rebuilt, and my place is there to help people."

Shariv said, "If an Indian woman is so certain that the Chabad House of Gabi and Rivki will be rebuilt, then I have no doubt that the holy work of all the [Chabad rabbis] will continue and even expand. The terrorists will not win."

Rabbi Yosef Carlebach, the director of the Chabad House in New Brunswick, announced that the new men's dormitory wing to be constructed at the Chabad House would be named "The Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg Dormitory Wing." Carlebach also requested funds be dedicated for rebuilding the Chabad of Mumbai.

"Gabi was one to always be there for a friend in a time of need; now we can be there for Gabi by increasing in our acts of goodness and kindness," said Rabbi Mendy Carlebach, the director of the Chabad of North & South Brunswick, who was a close friend and classmate of Gavriel's.

Mendy Carlebach also urged everyone to take part in the upcoming Hanukkah festivities, since "Hanukkah is a time of increasing in light — both physical and spiritual, in a world enveloped in darkness."