Mumbai Chabad House Closed Since 2008 Terror Attack To Reopen Later This Month

The Chabad House in Mumbai, India run by Rabbi Gavriel and Rivky Holtzberg has been closed since the November 2008 terror attack that killed them and four of their guests. Now, after years of legal disputes between the Hotlzberg and Rosenberg families and Chabad, Nariman House (as the Chabad House was commonly known) is set to reopen later this month.

Above: Nariman House one week after the terror attack in Novemeber 2008

DNA India reports:

Nariman House, that was running Chabad services in its premises till 2008, is scheduled to restart from August 26, two months prior to the sixth anniversary of the 26/11 terrorist attack, which is when it was shut down. Rabbi Gavriel and his five month pregnant wife, Rivka Holtzberg, who used to run the services, were killed along with four others. Their two-year-old son, Moshe, was rescued by his [Indian] nanny and lives in Afula, Israel.

Chabad House is a community center that mainly caters to Israelis and Jews. They are run by the Chabad Lubavitch movement, which has such centers over 70 countries. They have synagogues, prayer halls, offer Kosher food, run Torah classes and act as guest houses for those visiting the city. As of now, the services are being run from other undisclosed locations in the city.

Rabbi Israel Jacob, who runs the Chabad services in the city, told dna, “Yes, that is right. It will open on August 26.” He also confirmed that it will be renovated in the same way as an earlier press release from the Chabad-Lubavtich had stated, before the property went into dispute. On Monday, renovation work was underway.

“As of now, the work is going on and will continue till the night of August 25,” said Rabbi Jacob. As per earlier plans, the five floor structure will have a kosher kitchen that will cater to dietary needs of those visiting and the local Jewish community, on the first floor. The second floor will have a synagogue for prayer services and Torah study. The third floor will be used for functions and the fourth, will a memorial for the victims of the attack. The fifth floor will have a memorial dedicated to Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg.

The redevelopment of Nariman House had come into dispute two years after the attack, only to be amicably resolved later. The family of the deceased alleged embezzlement on the part of some officials of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. It was during this time that the matter reached court. However, a year later, the matter was settled amicably by the brother of the slain Rabbi, also called Moshe.

In an email reply, Moshe Holtzberg, late Gavriel's brother said, “The fact that Nariman House is finally reopening after six years, is great. Keeping the place active, is what my brother and his wife, Rivka, did – and I am sure this is what they would have wanted: to continue the light of goodness in Mumbai. Now, greater than ever! Six years is not a short time and not usual. But this is not a usual story.....it has been long and difficult, but now we are focused on the fact that Nariman house has been re-built. And now nicer, than ever....This building is also now secured to my nephew (Moshe). As most people of India call him, “baby Moshe”.....The least that we can do is to give him the choice to come back. It has been in agreement by all involved and I have assurance that this building belongs to him. It is his home? and when he gets older, he might want to come back and continue the work of his parents, in Nariman house. He's been there from the start, and naturally, it is his....”

Comments

[Yahoshua David]

Here come the converts. Since 2008 things have changed and many, many idol worshipers have their selfish motivations set on an easy path to the promised land.

Chabad needs to get the heck out of these countries and stop the nonsense. There arent Jews in these countries. Everyone knows it.

[Milhouse]

Posted by: Yahoshua David

You need to start your own blog.

[Edith]

I think if they really, really need a Chabad House in these terrorist laden countries, then they should be a little less public and more hidden.

[Shmarya]

Yahoshua David –

There's been a Jewish community in India for hundreds and hundreds of years.

[Screen]

so they can preach their cult teachings. I cant say im happy for this.

[Screen]

let me re word what i said before. it is a tradgedy of what happened before in mumbai to the people working there. But i cant ever have sympothy for chabad as a whole.

[Yahoshua David]

I'm aware of these communities in all these different countries and i don't buy into it. I know there are maybe 5-6 people in each town that are real Jews (like Jewtown). My issue is with Chabad. They're there to promote Judaism and moschiah.

The Catholics job is to go forth and make priests in all nations - not Judaisms. Speaking of that, I have a feeling Chabad and Catholics are working together. The Rebbe knew Pope John Paul II as childhood friends. John Paul was supposedly a Jew also (as well as several other Popes actually). The Rebbe would speak in Polish when on the phone with him so no one could know he was speaking to him. They both are zionist and both want the 3rd temple built.

The thing with messing around in other countries is more than it seems. Theres a lot of bribes, corruption, and deals that get made in these countiries. For instance, Chabad would be in India which has an enclosed stock market. Chabad meets with the govt and cuts a deal to invest 50 million in stocks for the sale of ownership of an airport in Jordan. Thats an example and something that the religious heads of Judaism should not be doing in my opinion. Overall I say Chabads international panderings are not good for Judaism and not a calling onto the Jewish people.

But will still say that Chabad have more holy spirit than anyone else.