Report: Five Jewish families taken hostage by Mumbai terrorists

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.”