Our hearts are shattered at the news from Mumbai where our brother and sister, Rabbi Gabi and Rivka Holtzberg, were among those murdered in the terrorist attack on the Chabad House there. And tonight their little son Moshe'le will mark his second birthday...
We have no words, we have no answers. We don't begin to understand Hashem's ways, nor are we expected to. Only Hashem Himself can restore the light of Moshe'le's life, and comfort him and the rest of this aching world.
We only know that until He does that, we must continue their life's work. They deserve no less.
We will continue to try and emulate Gabi and Rivka, to seek out our brothers and sisters in every corner of the globe with love and commitment, to give every one of them the opportunity to ignite the flame of their souls until that day when, in a world filled with THAT reflected light and warmth, G-d Himself will wipe the tears from every face.
It's almost Shabbos. Candle lighting time tonight is 5:05 pm. In a world that has become so much darker, can we try to bring in some light? If you know someone who hasn't put Tefilin on today and would like to, contact Rabbi Chaim this afternoon - we'll help you.
Families gather when they're hurting - perhaps we can comfort one another. The Four Houston area Chabad centers will have special Shabbos services. Chabad of Uptown's services tonight begin at 6:30 pm tonight and at 10:00 tomorrow, Shabbat morning, at Chabad of Uptown, 1800 S. Post Oak Blvd. The community is invited to join us.
We have more on our main Chabad website join us there (before or after Shabbat) at www.chabadtexas.org.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Chaim & Chanie
sharon wrote...
"I just read the news. This is the same chabad that we went to a couple times while we were in Mumbai. We knew the rabbi and had a couple meals/services with him. I understand that he was moving mountains there. You can't imagine what him and his wife developed there within the last 5 years. We were very impressed. We never met his wife, but hear she was one of the most incredible people you could ever meet. People raved about her.(She was in NY at the women's conference) It's sad to hear the news and scary to think we were there. The Taj Mahal hotel was also around the corner from where we were at. We visited there a few times. It's just terrible. Eric and Heather."