OK Kosher Certification, along with Klal Yisroel, are numb and heartbroken upon the news from Mumbai where our colleagues, our brothers and sisters, Hakedoshim Rabbi Gabi and Rebbetzin Rivka Holtzberg, Rabbi Leibush Teitelbaum, Rabbi Benzion Kruman, Yocheved Orpaz and Norma Schwartzenblat-Rabinovitz, were murdered in the terrorist attack on the Chabad House there.

Gabi and Rivka gave up the comforts of life in the West to share their love of Judaism and the warmth of their family with people of all backgrounds in India. With lots of hard work and dedication, they opened the Chabad House in Mumbai — a home to thousands of Jewish tourists, Israeli backpackers and international business-travelers.

Not only did Rabbi Gabi Holtzberg work hard for the people who lived in and visited India, he was a dedicated rabbi who made many regular and unannounced kashrus inspections on behalf of the OK to ensure that people all over the world would have kosher ingredients with out compromise.

The Holtzbergs were a ray of Jewish light in Mumbai, and like directors of thousands of Chabad centers worldwide, they proudly served on the frontlines of a raging spiritual battle—spreading Jewish knowledge and observance to the far-flung corners of the earth.

Gabi and Rivka made the ultimate sacrifice for their faith and their community. They lived and died as exemplars of the Jewish people. Two bright lights have been extinguished.

We have no words; we have no answers. We do not begin to understand G-d’s ways – and are not expected to. We only know that we must continue their life’s work; they deserve no less. A special fund has been set up for Chabad of India and for Moshe, their toddler son who just marked his second birthday. You can contribute to the fund at ChabadIndia.org as well as to TeitelbaumOrphanFund.org, and KrumanFoundation.com

During this Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, we remember the lights that were extinguished in Mumbai and pray for the ultimate light of redemption.

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Condolences

December 4; 2008

Dear Rabbi Levy,

I am sending this message on behalf of myself and my Company, Godrej Industries Limited, India to convey to you our most sincere condolences on the unfortunate demise of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and Mrs Holtzberg in the incident at Nariman housein Mumbai.

Rabbi Holtzberg was to visit our factories and installations in Gujarat and Mumbai for the annual audit for Kosher certifications that we have regularly for the past few years. My colleague Mr Vijaykumar was to accompany him and Rabbi Klatzkin and had reserved train tickets to Bharuch in Gujarat for travel on 2nd December for this purpose.

On behalf of our Managing Director Mr Nadir Godrej, myself and all our colleagues at Godrej, please accept our condolences and convey the same to the family membersof Rabbi Holtzberg and Mrs Holtzberg.

With best regards,

Mathew Eipe
ExecutiveDirector & esident (Chemicals)
Godrej Industries Limited.

To,
Rabbi Don Yoel Levy
Kashruth Laboratories

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Pesha Leah Azoulay, an Administrative Assistant at the OK, worked closely with Rabbi Holtzberg to plan Annual Inspections in India. These are her personal reflections upon hearing the devastating news of the terrorist attack that claimed the life of Rabbi & Mrs. Holtzberg.

Don’t Leave us Stranded
Pesha Leah Azoulay

I never knew where Mumbai was.
India was so far away. So distant.
I never knew.

That all changed.
Three months ago, when I started working.
Planning a trip with all its details.
For a rabbi to go to India.
To perform kashrus inspections.

We worked on this trip.
All of the details.
Together with Rabbi Holtzberg.
Who would be accompanying.

Rabbi Holtzberg, when I spoke to you on Tuesday,
You were so accommodating.
“I would never want to be a stranded Jew in India”
Those were your words.
And you insisted we change the schedule,
So the Rabbi could stay by you, one more night.
So you can help him out even more.

Rabbi Holtzberg, when I spoke with you on Tuesday,
I had assumed you were much older.
You spoke with such a depth, such Ahavas Yisroel.

On Wednesday, we had finalized the details.
I just was working with the companies,
Waiting for confirmations regarding transport.

On Wednesday night, my husband delicately mentions,
“Were you planning a trip to India?
I don’t think that is a very good idea,
There are terrorist attacks.”
But more details he didn’t give.
And I just couldn’t ask.

Thursday morning, in my inbox.
An email from a company.
They can not get through to you.
They are worried you might be involved.
I had to inform all of them,
Yes, this is our Rabbi.

That’s when it started to hit home.
I followed the news all day.
Hoping, praying, begging.
In a daze, terrified but hoping for the best.

Saying tehillim.
Asking women to bake challah.
Please, bake challah with a bracha.
As a segulah for a yeshua.

Thursday night,
My friends get together,
We are saying tehillim,
All of us, together, out loud.

On Friday, things aren’t getting better.
Conflicting reports all day long.
I glance up at my computer screen.
A note, I hadn’t noticed it before.
PLEASE CALL HOLTZBERG.

A smaller note next to it reminds me
Call Holtzberg.

My blood freezes. It feels like ages ago
These are just from Tuesday.
Tuesday, when I spoke to you.

I am begging Hashem,
“Bring them back to us.
Alive and well!”

The tears are streaming down my face,
My wrenching sobs shaking me,
To my very core.

I grab my Tehillim and storm the heavens.
Crying, praying and hoping.

I refuse to accept any reports.
I simply can’t.
A young shliach in his prime.
Whom I had just spoken with,
The day before these horrible events.

No, it can’t be.
Hashem, it’s enough!
AD MOSAI? TILL WHEN?

Rabbi Holtzberg always made sure
No one would be stranded,
Aibeshter, Oy Aibeshter,
Don't let your children remain stranded!
Bring the Geulah now!

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Dear Rabbi Steigman,

When I heard the news last week of the horror in Mumbai, I prayed that our friends in New York would not be affected.

When the news mentioned that Rabbi Holtzberg, of blessed memory, was a supervising Rabbi for a major Kashrus organization my dread increased exponentially.

I just learned this morning that Rabbi Holtzberg was one of OK Kosher Certification’s own.

Please accept my personal condolences, as well as ConAgra’s, to his family, friends and colleagues at OK Kosher.

Best regards,
Britt

Britt Nichols
ConAgra Foods
Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
Center for Research, Quality and Innovation

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Dear David (Rabbi Steigman):

I am contacting you in relation to the terrorist attempts occurred in Mombai, including the attack to the Rabbin and his family´s residence, with the unfortunate known consequences.

I want to express you my complete solidarity and support to the Israel people and the rabbinical family in such a sad moment.

Warmest regards,
Domingo

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Dear  Deena,

It was indeed a nightmare for all of us in Mumbai. In fact when we came to know that Mr & Mrs Gavriel  were held as hostage, we were all praying to G-D  for their safety. Destiny cannot be changed by human being.  We feel very sorry. In fact I was very close to Rabbi Gavriel  as I was coordinating all his visits to our plant and  be with him throughout his visits.  I  have  lost a good friend.

VR KRISHNAN
SR.MANAGER – LOGISTIC SUPPORT