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Brandon Memorial Saturday For Rabbi, Wife Killed In Mumbai

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2008

BRANDON - Rabbi Mendel Rubashkin held vigil at his computer for the better part of two days last week.

Eager for Internet updates about terrorist attacks unfolding in India, he trolled frantically for evidence that his friend, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, had survived the violent siege at the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Center in Mumbai.

"It was a roller coaster of emotions," said Rubashkin, leader of Chabad of Brandon, a sector of the Chabad movement, a network of Orthodox Jews with thousands of groups around the world.

News finally came the day after Thanksgiving. Holtzberg, 29, and his wife, Rivka, 28, were among those found brutally slain at the center in Mumbai, where they had served the Jewish community since 2003.

Chabad of Brandon will honor the Holtzbergs with a memorial service Saturday at Rubashkin's home, 3207 Hurley Grove Way, Valrico. The service is open to all Jews. For information, call (813) 657-9393.

Rubashkin remembered the American couple as positive people who had faced a life riddled with hardships.

Their first child died about a year ago from an incurable genetic disease. Their second child remains in a hospital in Israel with the same terminal illness. The couple's healthy 2-year old son, Moshe, survived the attack, rescued by his Indian nanny in the midst of the carnage.

"He was the apple of their eye," Rubashkin said. "They really doted on him."

A heart-wrenching footnote to the tragedy was disclosed at Rivka Holtzberg's funeral this week.

"Rivka's father announced she was five months pregnant at the time of her death," Rubashkin said.

Gavriel Holtzberg and Rubashkin were classmates in the 1980s at Oholei Torah Elementary School in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Affectionately known as "Gabi," Holtzberg always had a smile on his face and excelled academically, Rubashkin said.

"It was frustrating for those of us trying to compete in our studies because Gabi would always come out on top."

Each week during the couple's five-year mission in India, Rubashkin said, they ritually slaughtered 200 chickens and baked enough braided challah bread to serve 800 meals to Israeli locals and Jewish tourists and business travelers seeking kosher food and fellowship.

"Their kindness was indiscriminate toward anyone who sought their help, and they did it all with a smile," he said.

Despite the turmoil in India, Rubashkin said another couple affiliated with the Chabad network has volunteered to go to Mumbai to provide services and support for Jews. Chabad institutions worldwide seek to unite Jews and promote goodness and positive values.

The Brandon rabbi is certain more centers will be developed in India and elsewhere.

"Together we will continue the dedicated work of the Holtzbergs and continue to make this world a place of goodness," he said.

This video biography of the Holtzbergs explains the passion behind their mission to India:

http://www.chabadbrandon.org/library/article_cdo/a...

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

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