Local Chabad director addresses community

LETTERS

TO THE EDITOR

Local Chabad director addresses community

My Dear Friends and Fellow Jews:

The horror and the pain of the tragedy which took place last week is profound. The grief we sense at the murder of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, our colleagues in Mumbai, India, is for myself and my fellow Chabad Shluchim and Shluchot in St. Louis and around the world, a very personal one.

It is too painful for words. There are many questions, but few answers. However, we do know that it is precisely in a time like this that we must reaffirm our faith and strengthen our bitachon, and most importantly counter these horrific and senseless acts by resolving to redouble our personal and communal efforts in increasing goodness and holiness in a world darkened by such acts of evil.

The victims who were murdered at the Mumbai Chabad Centre dedicated their young lives to spreading Judaism and helping their fellow Jews. Indeed they were targeted by the terrorists because they were Jewish. The most fitting way to honor their memories and to express our sympathy and compassion, would be to increase and intensify our Jewish commitment. Those who knew this remarkable couple know that this would indeed be their wish.

It is in times such as these that our beloved Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory, would remind us of the power of each and every good deed which in the words of Maimonides, "brings salvation and blessing upon the individual and the entire world." The Rebbe always taught us that every good feeling, every noble thought, must be translated into positive action.

I am therefore appealing to you, my dear friends, to honor the memory of Gabi and Rivkah Holtzberg by choosing a mitzvah that you can do, or that you can perhaps do in a better way. Here are a few suggestions to consider, but there are many others. For women and girls to light Shabbat candles before the onset of Shabbat. For men to put on tefillin or recite the Shma. To give tzedakah regularly on weekdays through the use of a Pushka at home and/or at work. To say a prayer or study some Torah, etc., etc.. Whichever mitzvah you choose, you know that we at Chabad stand ready to assist you in any way we can.

You may wish to add your mitzvah in memory of the Mumbai victims to those of Jews from around the world online at the Web site www.ShowMeChabad.com/773655. Additionally, contributions can be made to the endowment fund which has been established for the Holtzberg children at www.ShowMeChabad.com/chabadmumbai.

May G-d heal our wounds and comfort the bereaved families and all of Israel among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may we merit the ultimate redemption speedily in our days.

Rabbi Yosef Landa

Regional Director, Chabad of Greater St. Louis