November 30, 2008 | 8:57 pm

Chabad reached terrorist when they phoned Rabbi Holtzberg

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

I spent this morning at a memorial service in Westwood for Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah, who ran the Chabad in Mumbai and were killed in the terrorist attacks there last week. It was amazing to see more than 1,000 people, including some of Los Angeles’ top officials paying tribute to two Jews they’d never met before.

I spoke with a Chabad rabbi who went to school with Gavriel back in New York and with a scholar who had celebrated Shabbat at the Mumbai Chabad house the Friday before the attacks, but most the people there were simply grabbed by the power of the Holtzbergs’ story, by the personal mission that caused the young couple to relocate after marrying in 2003 to a foreign land—to, as one speaker said, “the spread of good and the destruction of evil.”

Despite the circumstances, the mood at the memorial was upbeat. And I was surprised to hear so many times the exhortation that Jewish men put on tefillin to honor Gavriel’s legacy and that they create a kosher house for Rivkah. I’m still amazed with how Rabbi Holtzberg and his rebbetzin have come to serve as the public faces of this tragedy. From everything I’ve heard about the couple, I think they’d be a bit embarrassed by all the attention. But so many Jews, and non-Jews too, felt like the attacks were an attack on them personally; when one suffers, we all suffer.

“All of the Jewish people are connected. They are part of us,” Marilyn Greenberg, 71 and of no relation, told me at the service. “A young family, doing work for Klal Yisroel—and they were killed because they were Jewish. There wasn’t any other reason.”

Young Holtzberg with the Rebbe

I have yet to find a clear report that the Jewish center was specifically targeted. But a man who had visited told me it was located down an alley, well off the street, and wouldn’t be the kind of boarding house you would just stumble upon while looking for hostages. And it’s not hard to imagine religious extremists including a small community of Jews in such a diabolical plot. I hear that’s been happening for centuries.

I’ll be writing more about this for this week’s Jewish Journal. The latest detail to emerge is this:

Chabad Rabbi Levi Shem Tov said he tried to phone Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg at the Chabad House in Mumbai during the terrorist attack that ended his life and that of his wife and four others Jews in the building. A terrorist, who indentified himself as Imram, answered the phone, and Rabbi Shem Tov heard Rivka Holtzberg screaming in English, “Please help immediately.”

The terrorist originally ended the first phone conversation, saying that he spoke only the Urdu language. Rabbi Shem Tov found an Urdu speaker and called again. The terrorist said the rabbi was alive and well and would be freed if demands were met.

Rabbi Shem Tov related that he told the terrorist he would contact the Indian government to give them what they wanted, but when the rabbi asked to speak with Rabbi Holtzberg, the terrorist replied, “You have already asked for too much.”

After another two or three phone calls, “Imram” said the phone was dying and he hung up.

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November 29, 2008 | 11:23 am

Pastor who helped add ‘under God’ to pledge dies

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

The Rev. George M. Docherty, who is credited with inspiring the addition of “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance, died at his home on Thanksgiving. He was 97.

When a federal judge ruled the phrase unconstitutional in 2002, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette visited Docherty and he explained why he thought the pledge should honor God. The native Scotsman began with an exchange he had with his son:

“What did you do in school today?”

“Well,” second-grader Garth Docherty obliged, “we started with The Pledge of Allegiance.”

So, the junior Docherty repeated it for his father—the 1953 version, the next-to-the-current revision that read, in part, “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

“It struck me that it didn’t mention God,” George Docherty recounted yesterday from his home in Alexandria, Huntingdon County. “I was brought up in Scotland, and in Scotland, we sang, ‘God save our gracious king.’ It was everybody’s belief that God was part of society.”

George Docherty’s puzzlement might have died there.

But this was the Rev. George Macpherson Docherty. And the Rev. George Macpherson Docherty was three years into his pastorate of Washington, D.C.‘s New York Avenue Presbyterian Church—two blocks from the White House, the church attended by President Lincoln and frequented by his successors.

On the first Sunday in February 1954, a few months after the exchange with his son, Docherty raised the issue from the pulpit—with President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the front pew of the 1,400-seat sanctuary.

In his sermon, Docherty reasoned that reciting the Pledge didn’t make nonbelievers profess a faith in God.

“He is pledging allegiance to a state, which through its founders, laws and culture, does as a matter of fact believe in the existence of God,” he said. “Without this phrase ‘under God,’ The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag might have been recited with similar sincerity by Muscovite children at the beginning of their school day.”

Afterward, according to Docherty, Eisenhower told him, “I think you’ve got something.”

The long story cut short: newspapers picked up the message and the Congressional Record reprinted the sermon in full.

And 4 1/2 months later, in a nation fretting at the Cold War and what they saw as godless communism, the Pledge officially was leavened to 31 words, with the addition of the phrase “under God” after “one nation.”

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November 29, 2008 | 9:40 am

Hitler falls victim to sub-prime lending, housing collapse

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

I’ve seen a few re-scriptings of this Hitler explosion. But watching him erupt after learning that the housing bubble popped and he’s stuck with a home he can’t afford is pretty, well, priceless.

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November 28, 2008 | 10:28 am

White House confuses Chanukah and Christmas

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

Oy Vey.

The White House has done it again when making the obligatory gesture of respect toward Jewish holidays. Last year, President Bush wished Jews a happy Rosh Hashanah a week early. This year his holiday event staff accidentally (I assume) sent out Chanukah invitations to American Jewish leaders that included a Christmas tree on the card:

The message reads that the couple “requests the pleasure of your company at a Hanukkah reception,” written beneath an image of a Clydesdale horse hauling a Christmas fir along the snow-dappled drive to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

“It’s absolutely bizarre to receive an invite to the White House for Hanukkah in a Christmas format,” said one person who was invited. “They should have consulted with their chief of protocol before sending this out. This belongs right in the ‘Weird But True’ column.”

Charlie Brown’s signing “Oh Christmas Tree” after the jump.

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November 28, 2008 | 8:36 am

Chabad confirms: Rabbi and wife murdered in Mumbai

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

Tragically, the reports yesterday that Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka, had been killed after the Chabad house in Mumbai was taken over by terrorists were true. Officials with the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Brooklyn have confirmed their deaths:

Jewish communities around the world reacted with shock to the loss of the couple, who were killed Thursday at their Chabad House during an apparent standoff between Indian military forces and terrorists.

Their toddler son, Moshe, managed to escape with his nanny some hours before Indian commandos stormed their building, known as the Nariman House, in the popular touristy neighborhood of Colaba. The Associated Press reported that the boy was unharmed, but was wearing blood-soaked pants.

“Gabi and Rivky Holtzberg made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, vice chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the educational arm of Chabad-Lubavitch. “As emissaries to Mumbai, Gabi and Rivky gave up the comforts of the West in order to spread Jewish pride in a corner of the world that was a frequent stop for throngs of Israeli tourists. Their Chabad House was popular among the local community, as well as with visiting businesspeople.

“For five years, they ran a synagogue and Torah classes, and helped people dealing with drug addiction and poverty,” continued the statement. “Their selfless love will live on with all the people they touched. We will continue the work they started.”

Read more of Chabad’s story about the Holtzbergs here. The India Times also has a report of what happened at the Chabad house, also known as the Nariman House. It looks like three other hostages and all of the terrorists at Nariman were killed. The terrorist attacks, which began Wednesday, have claimed at least 143 lives.

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November 28, 2008 | 12:37 am

We talking about practice on Thanksgiving

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

It’s a Thanksgiving tradition to watch football and basketball, college and pro. But I was surprised to learn that some teams also schedule practice for Turkey Day.

We talking about practice. Not a game, not a game, not a game. We talking about practice.

Pistons guard Allen Iverson decided not to show up for pre-turkey practice, which is as good of an excuse as The God Blog gets to show this video again.

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November 27, 2008 | 7:25 pm

Chabad rabbi and wife reportedly killed

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

Rivka Holtzberg

Despite previous reports that everyone at the Nariman House in Mumbai had been freed, the Economic Times of India is reporting that the Chabad rabbi and his wife have been killed. There is no official confirmation from Indian authorities. The Chabad website reports that Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg are still unaccounted for:

No one has heard from the Holtzbergs for almost 24 hours. Soon after the attacks began, Gavriel Holtzberg called the Israeli Consulate, but the conversation cut out. Since then, a suspected Islamic terrorist reportedly used Holtzberg cell phone to call India TV.

According to a transcript of that conversation, the man, 25-year-old Imran Babar claimed that there were five other persons with him at the Nariman House, where the Chabad House is located.

IBN, CNN’s sister network in India, aired footage of what appeared to be seven released hostages walking away from the Chabad House. Further reports from other sources, however, indicated that the people, who appeared to be local residents, may have come from neighboring buildings. Lights remained off at the Chabad House, and Indian commandos appeared ready to reenter the building.

Like yesterday, Twitter has been abuzz all day with reports and rumors from India. With constantly conflicting tweets it’s been particularly difficult to tell what has really happened at the Nariman House, which is owned by Chabad. (Update: @acarvin says IBN, CNN’s Indian sister organization, has confirmed that the Holtzbergs were killed.)

More on the Holtzbergs from The New York Times:

“For our movement, this is a very somber day,” said Rabbi Sagee Harshefer, who heads the Chabad house in Ness Ziona, Israel, about 12 miles south of Tel Aviv. “But there is hope.”

Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg were born in Israel, though he and his siblings were brought to Crown Heights as children by their parents. The couple married a year before they went to Mumbai, formerly Bombay, to fulfill a role that Rabbi Zaklikowski said fit perfectly with Rabbi Holtzberg’s personality.

“He has a huge heart, always willing to help somebody in need,” the rabbi said. “It’s only natural that he would give himself to the community.”

Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, who directed the Chabad emissaries’ conference, said of Rabbi Holtzberg, “He is a very dynamic, energetic individual” who turned Mumbai’s Chabad house into “a home away from home for thousands and thousands of Jews.”

At midafternoon in New York on Wednesday, the first reports of the attacks in Mumbai hit the news, but no one in the Crown Heights Lubavitch community knew exactly where they had occurred — and no one suspected that the Chabad house had been hit. Still, some friends wanted to make sure that Rabbi Holtzberg and his wife and son were all right, so they phoned. There was no answer.

Yacov Young, Rabbi Holtzberg’s cousin, said he had been at home in Crown Heights, celebrating the birth of his son and a brother-in-law’s marriage, when his phone rang about midnight.

“Our hearts sank when we heard the bad news,” Mr. Young said as he dashed into the synagogue.

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November 27, 2008 | 10:42 am

Some Mumbai hostages freed; Chabad house still under siege *

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

A standoff continues in India between commandos and terrorists. Yesterday’s attacks have left more than 100 dead, though it’s not clear who organized the coordinated attacks. Regardless, Muslims have condemned the terrorists as “animals.”

The attacks hit a nerve with Jews worldwide after it was learned that hostages had been taken at the Nariman House, which is owned by Chabad, and that the Lubavitcher rabbi hadn’t been heard from since the attacks began. This story in the JPost reminded me of one of the opening scenes from “The Paper”: 119 dead, none from Israel.

And now there are reports that at least some of the Nariman hostages have been freed:

Eight Jewish hostages held by Islamic terrorists were released from the Chabad House in Mumbai on Thursday evening in an Indian commando operation, according to a state official.

The condition and identities of the hostages were unclear.

The commando raid was continuing, however, with the remaining members of the five families taken hostage still being held.

Nevertheless, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that the information received by Israel was only “partial” and that the Foreign Ministry could not confirm that eight hostages had been freed.

The fate of the Chabad rabbi, Gavriel Holtzberg, and his wife still aren’t clear. Gunshots have been reported at the Nariman. But CNN reported that their 18-month-old child and eight others were released. God willing ...

Indian commandos are about to, or maybe already have begun, a raid of the Nariman House to free the remaining hostages.

*Updated: Indian news organizations are reporting that all hostages have been freed from the Nariman House, though a few terrorists remain inside. I would not want to be in their shoes at this moment. They are about to get leveled.

No word from Chabad.

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November 27, 2008 | 10:27 am

Giving thanks

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

The economy sucks, and the news business is even worse, but still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for—friends, family, a future (God willing), only four days remaining in Movember.

Thanksgiving has never been my favorite holiday, or even among them. Looking at the ocean is more likely to cause me to stop and thank God for a good life than turkey giblets; to begin with, I prefer ham. But the past few months have been hectic enough that I need to designated interruption and reminder to be grateful.

I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving. You can share in a feast with Charlie Brown after the jump:

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November 26, 2008 | 6:40 pm

Report: Five Jewish families taken hostage by Mumbai terrorists

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

The Mumbai terror attacks have spread to the Jewish community. Chabad has been expressing concern for its local rabbi and his wife, who have been unreachable following the attacks. Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka, live at the Chabad House, which was known as the Nariman House before they bought it a few years ago. According to at least one report, terrorists have taken control of the Nariman House and are holding five Jewish families hostage.

It’s unclear if the Holtzbergs were present but it seems likely. A statement from Chabad says:

“One friend of Gavriel Holtzberg reported receiving an e-mail from the Mumbai rabbi at 11:30 p.m. local time. The Israeli Consulate was in touch with Holtzberg, but the line was cut in middle of the conversation. No further contact has since been established. Other reports on IBN showed the Chabad House’s building as being occupied by terrorists, but no further information could be confirmed.

“Chabad-Lubavitch representatives in New York and Israel are working alongside the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the US Consulate in Mumbai and a volunteer team of local residents to ascertain the well being of the Holtzbergs and other Jews in the area.

“People are urged to say Psalms for Gavriel Noach ben Freida Bluma and Rivka bas Yehudis, and anyone affected by the tragedy.”

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November 26, 2008 | 5:28 pm

Muslims condemn Mumbai terror attack

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

I imagine you’ve heard by now that terrorist attacks in Mumbai have left at least 80 people dead. If not, The New York Times has a photo gallery and there is a short video from Reuters below.

Fingers are pointed at Muslim extremists, who are tragically locked in war with India’s Hindus that resembles the 500-year Northern Ireland conflict. And Muslims worldwide have been denouncing the attacks, and not parsing their words. This condemnation is from MuslimMatters.org:

Regardless of who was involved, the people who carried these attacks out are animals, with little sense of humanity or morality.

May Allah grant patience to the victims of terrorism, and may He extract full justice against the perpetrators.

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