Mumbai murders stun and sadden local rabbi
On Black Friday the news I so dreaded was confirmed. My close friend and classmate, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivki Holtzberg, were brutally murdered by terrorists along with hundreds of other victims in Mumbai, India.

It is now over a week and I am still numb. Gabi — as he was known to classmates in Yeshiva High School — was always giving of himself to everybody, as was evident in what Gabi's mission was in India. In 2003 Gabi and Rivki left the comforts of the United States to establish Chabad of Mumbai, India; life was challenging and difficult. There was no available kosher food for purchase, everything had to be made from scratch. This couple prepared and koshered more than 100 chickens a week, Rivki would bake bread and bakery goods for the hundreds of people every week. All this for the travelers, needy, troubled youth and businessman that traveled through or lived in Mumbai. Gabi and Rivki greeted everyone with a smile, a meal and a good word.

Gabi and Rivki's son, Moishe, was rescued by his heroic Indian nanny, Sandra Samuel; he turned 2 years old this past weekend. The cries of "eema-eema" ("mommymommy" in Hebrew) at his parents' memorial service in India are heart-wrenching and cries that I will never forget as long as I live.

We do not always know or understand G-d's reasoning and we may never, but one thing I am certain is that the good deeds, kind acts and endless flow of compassion and love that followed this tragedy is proof that a bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness.

As the chabad representative to North and South Brunswick, I ask each and every one to increase in acts of goodness and kindness, with the hope of changing the world around us and ultimately the entire world.

Tonight, hug your children and loved ones tighter, call a long-lost relative or friend and rest assured that good will prevail!

To help rebuild chabad in Mumbai, India, visit www.southbrunswickchabad. com and click on donate. For more information, call Rabbi Carlebach at 732-522- 5505.

Rabbi Mendy Carlebach

Director Chabad House of North &

South Brunswick South Brunswick