Dear Friends,

I feel it is incumbent on me to keep you informed regarding the ongoing details following the rawest form of evil which murdered, two of our finest fellow Shluchim of Chabad, Rabbi and Mrs. Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, and three other Jews visiting their Chabad center in Mumbai, India - Kedoshim, whom The A-lmighty will assuredly avenge their innocently spilled blood.

To put this report in context for you, these facts have been culled from literally thousands of stories penned by fellow Shluchim, friends of the Holtzbergs,and hundreds who have been affected, personally, by their visit to The Chabad Center of The Holtzbergs in Mumbai. These facts have been gleaned from a 24 hour, international exchange of Shluchim around the world through the internet, whom collectively are in "virtual" shivah - mourning over their late, but forever heroic, brother and sister.

* Today, before all other business, The Israeli Knesset, unanimously resolved that Chabad centers around the world are to be categorized as "Ambassadors of Judaism" to their respective regions. The very purpose of the creation of the State of Israel was to provide a haven of security to Jews emigrating there and to care for all Jews wherever they might be, in a time of emergency. The Knesset members upgraded the status of Chabad-Lubavitch centers worldwide to "embassies of Judaism" and will work towards the rebuilding of this center, and be vigilant of all outposts of Chabad, wherever they might be thoughout the world.

* This Shabbat, the 2 year old son of The Holtzbergs, Moshe, who has become one of the global "faces" of the tragedy. as his nanny miraculously escaped the massacre and rescued him, celebrated his second birthday. On an international conference call of hundreds of Shluchim right before the commencement of Shabbat, the worldwide family of Shluchim adopted this child, and resolved to do everything they would do for their own children, to ensure this child's upbringing, his education, and his future, forever. This was announced to the world, as well, through live television interviews with CNN, Fox and the local NY television stations by Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of Lubavitch World Headquarters. It is important to note, that Chabad flew the heroic nanny, Sandy, to the child, as he requested to have her, as the only familiar face he could recognize aside from his parents, for whom he has continually asked.

* Immediately following Shabbat, it was announced that the replacements of The Shluchim to Mumbai have been chosen and will be leaving this week. Their work, obviously, will begin with the re-building of the decimated Chabad Center. In addition, a new center's opening in Najar, India was announced as a redoubling of the efforts, the immediate answer to the hideous monsters whose entire mission is to sow fear in Western civilization. In the spirit of The Rebbe's philosophy never to handicap ourselves by seemingly insurmountable challenges, on the contrary, to fill any vacuum, test, and fear, with a joy firmly rooted in our strengthening belief in G‑d, and a redoubling of the light which will banish darkness forever. This is in sync, with the spirit of The USA, and all western civilization's ongoing battle with terrorism, not to cow, not to have our lives affected in the least bit - but a continuation of an absolute and resolute fight to the finish, to root this intolerable evil and its objectives from our society  forever.

* It has become known as fact, that Rabbi Holzberg was the last to be gunned down by the cruel animals. Prior to his doing so, in his last act here on earth, he took his tallis and lovingly covered the body of his Rebbetzin who was gunned down as one of the first victims, to allow her some sense of Jewish dignity amidst the unimaginable carnage in the room. The rescue teams who are trained professionals to these types of harrowing scenes, were traumatized by the utter beastliness of the terorrists and what they did to the Torah scrolls, holy books and the blood of their victims. But there laying in the corner of the room, they could not believe the scene of this Jewish woman, traditionally taken care of with such dignity by her husband.  

 * A Shliach in Atlanta, Georgia reported that on Shabbat morning, he was approached before services by a member who told him of the good news, the birth of a baby girl, Friday Night. With tears in his eyes, he asked that the naming of the child take place that same day, and the child be named Rivkah, in memory of Rivkah Holtzberg, of blessed memory. Countless stories of increased Torah, prayers, and charity, coupled with new life-long resolutions in the realms of Friday night candle-lighting, Teffilin donning, Kashrut observance and acts of goodness are streaming in to the 4000 Chabad centers, by hundreds of thousands of Jews. Some of whom they are familiar with, others whom they have never seen, entering into their Chabad center asking to put on teffilin or a tallis for the first time in their lives. The solidarity of worldwide Jewry over these last 72 hours has been other-worldly, this attack on the heart of everything Judaism stands for has aroused and unified our people in ways not seen in recent history. 

* Aside from the significant number of heartwarming e-mails which I have received of the resolutions being made by our community and their friends, in honor and in memory of our Mumbai brethren, a very special bright moment was reported to me after Shabbat. 

Years ago, Dinie and I introduced The Honorable Ambassador Ned L. and Stephanie Siegel to the tradition of ushering in the Shabbat, with the lighting of The Shabbat candles. This was accomplished while they were still local here in Florida. The forever commited, principled and proud Jewess, Stephanie, did not end this weekly highlight of her gorgeous silver candelabra when her husband was selected to become the Ambassador to The Bahamas. Stephanie ensured that together with her prized possesions, the Shabbat Candelabra be packed and taken with them to their new residence in The US embassy in Nassau, Bahamas. In fact, due to their heavy travelling schedule, we ensured that Stephanie was "equipped" with a silver travelling set of candlesticks, wherever she was in the world. I have made sure to e-mail, Mrs. Ambassador each Friday with the candle lighting time, wherever she has been throughout the world. Recently, to "upgrade" the beautiful Shabbat Candelabra, one light for each of her gorgeous children, we purchased a stunning Silver Pushka - Charity box, where she and her Ambassador husband, can give charity before Shabbat Lighting, as was the wish of The Rebbe.

After receiving this week's pre-Shabbat e-mail, detailing the attack on our brethren in Mumbai, and my plea to honor their memory by lighting Shabbat candles in their memory, and/or convincing another Jewish woman who has not lit Shabbat candles to do so; Mrs. Ambassador gathered all of her Embassy Thanksgiving guests, and lit with each of them their own personal Shabbat candles.

As an official embassy of The USA, this was one, if not the first very fitting tribute paid to these selfless human beings by Chabad Lubavitch of Boynton's Executive Chairman - The Honorable Ambassador Ned L. and Stephanie Siegel. Pictures of this historic moment in US Embassy history, with The Shabbat candelabra and pushka gracing the main dining room table, for all guests to see will be up on our website to see, tommorow.

When an army is attacked, the response is rapid and forceful. the army of The Rebbe, "The ambassadors of Judaism" as declared by The Israeli Knesset today has been attacked, and the response, while not a military one, will be rapid, forceful, and on a scope yet seen by the contemporary Jewish world. Jewry will partner with Chabad, as a resurgence of Jewish pride, Jewish outreach, Jewish education will spread stronger than ever in direct response to this tragedy of nightmare proportions. The larger in scope, the more our comfort will be. Plans are on the drawing board already for revolutionary, worldwide Judaic activities of light and goodness which will do its part in banishing the evil of the world from our midst, very speedily in our days.

In the upcoming days, we will continue to keep you informed of the unfolding details of the aftermath of the attack on Jewry in Mumbai.

With Torah blessings for a world filled only with the peace of G‑dliness,

Rabbi Sholom Ciment