'Let's begin the healing process'
Chabad Center holds service for victims of the Mumbai terrorist attacks
By HEATHER ROTH Staff Writer
Published December 05, 2008
They grew up as classmates in Brooklyn, N.Y., their birthdays only a few days apart.
Both became rabbis, and both led Chabad - places dedicated to helping other Jews.
Rabbi Nochum Light settled in Annapolis; Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg settled in Mumbai, India.
Last night, Rabbi Light led a memorial service for his friend and colleague, a victim in the terrorist attacks in Mumbai that began Nov. 26.
"I especially grieve my dear friend," Rabbi Light told more than 40 mourners seated on folding chairs in the main room of the Chabad Center of Anne Arundel County. "How could someone whose life mission was to care for others be brutally murdered by men filled with hate?"
The service opened with Rabbi Light's memories of his friend. They met in Jewish School, when Rabbi Holtzberg was a 9-year-old immigrant from Israel struggling with the English language. As classmates, Rabbi Light remembered the challenge of playing chess with Rabbi Holtzberg.
The two men kept in touch for much of their adult lives. Rabbi Holtzberg met and married Rivkah Holtzberg, then moved to India.
"They left their family in New York and Israel and moved halfway around the world," Rabbi Light said. "All this for Jews they had never met before."
The Holtzbergs' Chabad Center was filled with Jewish tourists and business travelers looking for a Kosher meal and a warm room.
"They were examples for all of Israel," Rabbi Light said. "It is an attack on all who value goodness, peace and justice."
Rabbi Light was not the only one in the room personally affected by the attacks. Stuart Schoenburg of Annapolis lost his son-in-law's mother, Yocheved Orpaz of Israel.
Ms. Orpaz was visiting family in India and stopped by the Chabad Center to thank the Holtzbergs for their hospitality. She was still there when terrorists stormed the center.
"We have not been close, but we knew each other and were considered family," Mr. Schoenburg said.
Many of those who attended last night's service came to show support for Jews across the world. Others came to support Rabbi Light as he grieved the death of a colleague.
"This tragedy affects everybody," said Abby Rosen of Annapolis, adding that she once spent a year in India. "I just wanted to be here to honor the life that (the Holtzbergs) lived."
As the service wound to a close, Rabbi Light passed out candles and turned out the lights.
"The little drop of light can get rid of a lot of darkness," he said. "Such brutal darkness can only be dispelled by torches of love. The power of love is stronger and more eternal than the power of hate."
No one can understand why Rabbi Holtzberg and his wife were killed, he said.
"We can only turn our tearful eyes to heaven and say 'It happened, we accept it. Isn't it time for us to understand?' " he said. "This is not a time to ask, but to do."
To honor the memory of those who died, Rabbi Light asked those gathered to complete a mitzva - or a good deed - to continue their legacy.
"Let's begin the healing process and come together to become better people," he said.
The Chabad Center of Anne Arundel County has established a fund to rebuild the Chabad Center in Mumbai and to help provide for the Hotlzbergs' two surviving children, one struggling with Tay-Sachs disease in Israel, and the other recently reunited with his grandparents after surviving the attacks in India.
For information or to contribute, visit http://www.chabadannearundel.org or call 443-321-9859.
Joshua McKerrow - The Capital
Mourners light candles and say a prayer for Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, victims of the Mumbai, India terrorist attacks during Thursday night's memorial service at the Chabad of Anne Arundel County.
