Since their arrival in India, Rabbi Gabi and Rivkah Holtzberg served their local community, as well as the international community, with great devotion and selflessness. Many, many people were deeply impacted by the Holtzbergs. Here are some of the memories shared by those touched.

“Rabbi Gabriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka were a very loving and helpful couple. They were known for their hospitality towards the Jewish travelers who came from around the world and for their devotion to the local Bnei Israel community.”

Ruby & Rephael Rohekar,
Mumbai, India

“Gabi had a small perpetual smile playing on his face, as if he were always slightly amused by the world around him. Sometimes, if a visitor said something embarrassing or inappropriate, we would catch his eye and we would share a knowing smile.

Rivki was so sweet and warm. She began hugging Leila each time she saw her and the hugs were genuine and comforting. She loved having us and other guests in her home.”

Reuben Posner and Leila Bilick

“They taught me the true value of opening your home to the Jewish community worldwide. In doing so, they continuously made me, and others, feel at home in a land strange and sometimes hostile….

During the rougher weeks, I knew I’d be rejuvenated that coming Friday with familiar and delicious food, great company, Shabbat warmth, and their care…. I am forever
grateful to the Holtzbergs for their hospitality, generosity and undiscriminating friendship.”

Valerie Porush
AIPAC San Francisco Director

“Both Gavriel and Rivkah smiled easily and often. Yet their lives were not easy.
They had lost one child, and another child was very sick… But they kept their sorrows
inside. There was no self-pity about them. Reb Gavriel collected inspiring stories
around his Shabbat table. Yet, as devastated and profoundly sad as I feel at this moment, I also realize that the sacred lives of these two shluchim was perhaps the most inspiring story of all.”

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
International lecturer and bestselling author

“Even in their short lives, Rabbi Gabi and Rivki served as extraordinary examples of what it eans to lead a meaningful life—caring, loving and giving in the most egoless selfless manner. May G d grant their righteous souls a place of honor in Gan Eden and may their memory be a lessing and inspiration for us all.”

Trevor Horwitz, Atlanta Georgia

“For me, Rabbi Gabi and Rivka Holtzberg were two beautiful, selfless people who did everything for their community with much enthusiasm and love. I always felt welcomed there and felt their hospitality was completely genuine.”

Nathan Azize, Munich, Germany

“Rivki and Gaby’s home was open to everyone, backpackers, diamond merchants, IT specialists, Chabad rabbis passing through to learn how he was coping with Indian
conditions—people from all over the world: London, New York, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong.

An international “home away from home,” they came to enjoy the festivities of the Shabbat, the use of the internet, take religious advice, seek help for children in jail. This was Gaby and Rivki. This is Chabad.”

Samuel Marshall

“They took their jobs as shlichim (emissaries) very seriously. Their lives never stopped. There was no such thing as “personal space” or “down time.” The phones rang constantly, people ame in and out like a subway station and all the while Rivky and Gabi were calm, smiling, warm, and welcomed everyone like family.”

Hillary Lewin

Everything was possible with Rabbi Gavriel and Rivki, thanks to their wonderful optimism
in the face of the adversity of India’s day-to-day life. Thanks to their love of life and energy, their consideration of others and their selfless work.”

Raphael Altman

“Thanks Gabi and Rivka, I will never forget you and your kindness.”

Nathan Salvadori, Jerusalem, Israel