News

Local Chabad mourns those killed by terrorists

By Bethany Bray
Staff Writer
Published: December 4, 2008

A local congregation is hosting a memorial service tonight for friends of its rabbi killed in the three-day terrorist assault in Mumbai, India, last week.

Rabbi Asher Bronstein, director of the Andover-based Chabad Lubavitch of the Merrimack Valley, was a friend and colleague of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, a married couple killed after gunmen struck the Chabad House, the Mumbai headquarters of the Orthodox Lubavitch movement. They were among the 172 killed and 239 wounded in the attacks.

The Andover memorial service for the Holtzbergs and other Mumbai victims is tonight, Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. It is open to people of all faiths, said Bronstein.

"We believe very strongly that all of us doing good together brings a little bit of light. It dispels a lot of darkness," Bronstein. "Togetherness is the hallmark of Chabad."

Members of the local Indian community will be saying a prayer as part of the memorial, he said.

"When there is a unbelievable hovering of darkness, the only way you can get rid of it is bringing lots of light and love into the world. This is what we have to do to fight the terrorists," he said, "work together, and embrace community."

Upcoming Hanukkah and Shabbat celebrations will be done in memory of the Holtzbergs, he said. Later this month, the lighting of the menorah on the North Andover town common will be called the Holtzberg Menorah Lighting.

Andover resident Madhu Sridhar, a native of Delhi, India, said the terrorist attacks hit home, no matter where you live.

"The loss of life is saddening, and really shocking. You sit here, so far from your homeland, and watch it unfold live on cable news. It was like 60 hours of constant watching, and trying to contact friends and family in Mumbai," said Sridhar. "It was Thanksgiving, and people are celebrating blessings ... it makes you wonder, what kind of things these (terrorist) groups can do. Today it's Mumbai, tomorrow it can be somebody else.

"I consider myself to be a global citizen, and this brings anger and frustration to any community. This can happen anywhere." she said. "Everyone in India and here is very saddened. It's a terrible thing to happen, in any part of the world."

The Andover congregation is one of 4,000 Chabad centers around the world holding special services and lighting candles for the Holtzbergs, Bronstein said.

Rivkah and Gavriel Holtzberg were both born in Israel. Gavriel moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., to attend the same school that Bronstein went to, he said.

"I knew him well and lived near him," said Bronstein. "One of my best friends married Rabbi Holtzberg's sister. We are very much intertwined with the family."

The Holtzbergs had been working and living at the Nariman Chabad center in Mumbai for the last five years, "opening up their doors to anyone that would be interested in Chabad," from businessmen to backpackers, said Bronstein.

They were among six people killed in their house of worship, according to the Associated Press. One of the other victims had just stopped by the center on his way to the airport, to thank the Holtzbergs for welcoming him, said Bronstein.

The Associated Press reported the bodies were sent to Jerusalem for burial this week, mourned by thousands. Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg was 29, and his wife, Rivkah, was 28.

The Holtzberg's 2-year-old son, Moshe, was rescued by his Indian nanny and survived the Mumbai attack. The entire Chabad movement has adopted Moshe, said Bronstein, and is raising money for his care.

Despite the tragic events of last week, there is hope, said Bronstein. Rivkah Holtzberg's parents have vowed to rebuild the Chabad center in Mumbai, in honor of their daughter and son-in-law.

"There is a lot of hope and good happenings," he said. "The only way we can continue is to do good."

Memorial service

For the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India

Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Chabad of Merrimack Valley, 310 North Main St., Andover

Open to the public and people of all faiths

For more information, to donate money for 2-year-old Moshe Holtzberg, or to get involved, visit www.chabadmv.com and click on the "tragedy in Mumbai" banner

People can light candles in memory of the Holtzbergs at sundown on Friday. Go to Chabad of Merrimack Valley, 310 North Main St., to receive candles and light them at five minutes to 4 p.m. on Dec. 5

Holtzberg Menorah Lighting

Monday, Dec. 22

Festivities begin at 3:30 p.m., menorah lighting at 5 p.m.

North Andover town common, across from the Museum of Printing, 800 Massachusetts Ave.