The White House
December 1, 2008
Laura and I send our condolences to the Chabad-Lubavitch family and all those honoring the lives lost in this tragedy.
The compassionate individuals of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement dedicate their lives to sharing G-d’s teachings with people throughout the world, offering strength, hope and guidance in the unique spirit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of blessed memory. Through countless acts of love and kindness, the lost members of the Chabad-Lubavitch community in Mumbai represented the best of the human spirit, and their memories will live on in the hearts and souls of those they touched.
It is impossible for us to make sense of the violence of the Mumbai terrorist attack, yet we offer our deepest sympathy to the Chabad-Lubavitch community during this difficult time. We pray that you will be comforted by your fond memories of those lost, encouraged by their noble legacy, sustained by your faith, and lifted by the support of your loved ones.
May G-d bless you and all those affected by these horrific attacks.
George W Bush
INDIAN JEWISH CONGREGATION OF USA
Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky
Lubavitch World Headquarters
The Indian Jewish Congregation of USA family mourns the loss of Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg, and his wife, Rivkah.
I know of the good work these two beautiful souls were doing in Mumbai.
The people in Mumbai are caring, loving people who share in the loss of those who lost their lives to sadists whose only motive was to bring death and destruction to innocent giving souls. The tragedy is more so because people from different faiths with common forefathers reinvent the Holy Book and transform the values written, for evil purposes. These are horrors perpetrated by savages in the guise of human beings.
Rabbi Holtzberg and his wife Rivka have not died in vain. Their Mitzvot will live for eternity as they made the sacrifice for Judaism and its people.
May the Almighty grant them eternal peace.
Romiel Daniel
President
Indian Jewish Congregation of USA
From The Office of the Chief Rabbi of The United Kingdom
The United Synagogue family shares the world's revulsion at the horrific events that took place last week in Mumbai. We mourn the tragic loss of the young Rabbi Holtzberg, his wife and all those who perished. The attacks in Mumbai have shocked us all. The Nuriman Centre is a Jewish meeting place, just like our own centres, and the attack there resonates particularly deeply with us. The horrors that took place across Mumbai have affected so many people and we share their tragedy. The Chief Rabbi together with our President and the Trustees offer the traditional words of comfort at this desperate time to the families of all the victims: May the Almighty comfort you all among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
From Wayne L. Firestone, President Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
The students, professionals and lay leaders of the Hillel movement around the world exparess our profound condolences to the family of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg and to the Chabad Lubavich organization on the murder of these Jewish leaders who died al kiddush Hashem, for the sanctification of God's name, while serving as emissaries in Mumbai.
The Holtzbergs gave up the comforts of life in the West to share their love of Yiddishkeit and the warmth of their family with people of all backgrounds in India. They made the ultimate sacrifice for their faith and their people. They lived and died as exemplars of the Jewish people. May their souls be bound up in the eternal bonds of life and may their family be comforted among the mourners of Zion.
Hillel encourages our local professionals and students to express their condolences in personal visits to our Chabad counterparts on campuses and in communities around the world.
Nothing can mitigate the horror of this savage terrorist attack which has claimed the lives of over 100 innocent people across Mumbai. Hillel stands in solidarity with the people of India as they heal their wounds and comfort those in grief.
The following letter was sent by the Rabbi of Bnei David Judea in LA, to his community:
Dear friends,
As you may know by now, Chabad has confirmed the deaths of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, the beloved directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Mumbai, along with others in the Chabad building there. Those in the Chabad building were of course themselves among dozens and dozens of other victims around the city. This morning I spoke with Rabbi and Mrs. Lisbon, our closest Chabad neighbors, right across the parking lot from us, at Bais Bezalel. I expressed our shared grief, and offered our support in whatever way it might be needed in the weeks ahead. They were extremely appreciative of our expression of solidarity and support, and we agreed that we will stay in close touch as things unfold.
May we still somehow have a Chodesh Tov.
Rav Yosef
B'nai B'rith Antwerp
To Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky:
Aus shabbes, saturday evening.
The president, Dr.René Trau, & Leo Schumer mentor of B'nai B'rith Antwerp, lodge Mala Zimetbaum, strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, that murdered Rabbi Gavriel & Rivkah Holtzberg from the Chabad House, 3 Israëlis people, dozens of innocent people while injuring many more. We extend our most sincere condolences to the bereaved families Holtzberg, to the relatives of Rivkah and Rabbi Gavriel .
May their souls lay in rest in the Gan Eden.
Leo Schumer Dr.René Trau
mentor B'nai B'rith Antwerp président of B'nai B'rith Antwerp
From Rosalie Boyle in Tulsa, Oklahoma:
Please accept my deep condolences for the loss of the young Rabbi and his beautiful wife who were brutally killed by very evil people. I am a Christian woman who grieves when Jewish people are attacked or wronged. I believe that God has his hands on His Chosen and that their lives will not have been in vain.
This savagery connected to this so-called "Religion of Peace" will destroy us if we continue with this Political Correctness towards them. Evil is Evil and must be dealt with as being EVIL.
We pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters in New York for the loss of this dearly beloved man and his beautiful wife.
God Bless you all.
Posted by: Rita Hawkins , Hollister, FL on Nov 28, 2008
Posted by: Anonymous , atlanta, ga on Nov 29, 2008
Deepest sympathies from a christian in the US. This young couple was doing God's work and serving their faith, following a call. They did not deserve such a fate (nor did any of the other victims).
Prayers for the couple and the child that they loved, may God's blessings carry him through life.
Posted by: Tim Simon , London, UK on Nov 30, 2008
Dear Parents of Rivka and Gavriel
In 2006 I had the honour and pleasure of having shabbat supper with your children. They did not know me or my friends but they kept open house for all Jews in Mumbai who wished to celebrate with them.
They were a true delight to be with. They welcomed us all secular and observant alike. They were hospitable to an amazing degree, welcoming us, complete strangers into their home and made us feel at ease. They plied us with all manner of good food, with warmth and with friendsip.
It was a true privilege to have met and known them albeit for such a brief moment. I grieve with you and your families at heir abhorrent and brutal murder. One can only think that they were too good for this world.
May their memory last for a blessing and give you comfort at this terrible time. May my thoughts and those of all rightous people of whatever faith and none comfort you.
Posted by: Charnie Feldman , Forest Hills, NY on Nov 30, 2008
Rabbi & Rebbetzin Holtzberg death was Kiddush Hashem. Some people live long lives, but don't accomplish much. This young couple may not have had many years in this world, but they maximized their lives in the fullest.
May the world come together with unity from this tragic loss.
Posted by: Eric Raphael , monroe, ny on Nov 29, 2008
Today we must stand and grieve. Not just because members of our community have died. Rather that humanity has lost its heart, its sole, its inspiration to bless life. I pray that the people of India find faith in G-d, and that from the pain of death we find life in Hashem’s name.
To all who have died in India, may they be a blessed memory.
Posted by: Anonymous , Raleigh, NC on Dec 01, 2008
I am appalled at this carnage and shocking turn of events, and as an Indian, am ashamed that such a turn of events has been allowed to occur in my country.
That people who come to our country for such a noble cause, should befall this atrocity is unforgivable. How can such absolute evil permeate the minds of the terrorists! It is particularly sad for Moshe, I wish him all the strength in the world and may God give his parents peace..
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