United in Support

“In running the Chabad House in Mumbai, Gavriel and Rivka provided a home away from home for so many Jewish travelers, carrying out in their corner of the world Chabad Lubavitch’s mission of service to the Jewish community. They gave selflessly of themselves to others, and touched many lives along the way. As you mourn and remember those we lost, you should know that so many Americans share your grief and pain. May their memories be a blessing.”

Barack Obama
President of the United States

“Through countless acts of love and kindness, the lost members of the Chabad-Lubavitch community in Mumbai represented the best of the human spirit, and their memories will live on in the hearts and souls of those they touched. May G-d bless you and all those affected by these horrific attacks.”

George W. Bush
43rd President of the United States

Free translation from the Hebrew “The entire world owes Moishy an answer to his cry ‘Where is Ima?’ For him and for all of mankind created in the image of G-d, we must uproot terrorism at its base. It is our responsibility to stand as one to fight against the terror that made Moishy an orphan at just two years of age.”

Shimon Peres
President of Israel

“They had devoted their lives to acts of goodness and kindness and compassion for others. They were providing a home away from home for Jewish travelers, a place for hospitality and rest, and for spiritual guidance. “But they lost their lives in a senseless act of hatred. In
the face of this terror we must not bow to fear. We must respond by spreading our own message of tolerance and respect to people of other backgrounds and other beliefs.”

Kevin Rudd
Australian Prime Minister

“The fact that the assault happened at a Chabad House symbolizes more than anything the fact that this assault targeted Jews, Israelis. Israel, India and the rest of the free world are positioned in the forefront of the battle against terrorism and extremists.”

Tzipi Livni
Member of Israeli Knesset, leader of Kadima party

“[The murders of Rivka and Gabi Holtzberg are] affronts to the values that unite all civilized people…Anti-Semitism is a pernicious evil that must be exposed, that must be confronted, that must be repudiated, whenever and wherever it appears.”

Stephen Harper
Canadian Prime Minister

“Today we have lost two New Yorkers: Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka. This is a tragic loss for the Lubavitch community, and for our entire City. “That their son survived is a miracle, and our entire City is grateful for his nanny’s heroic act. During a time of terrible sadness, her courage re-affirms our faith in the capacity of good to triumph over evil. “Our hearts go out to the Lubavitch community, and to the many New Yorkers of all different religions and ethnicities who have been affected by the attacks.”

Michael Bloomberg
Mayor of New York City

“There could be no sharper a reminder, nor a more poignant call to action, than the brutal and heinous violence visited upon the Nariman House and the Holtzberg family, living and working in Mumbai on a mission of peace, scholarship and spiritual guidance… [L]et us find strength in knowing that in the face of those who seek to take lives, there are those who seek to give hope and comfort. In the face of those who wish only to destroy, there are individuals like Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and Rivka Holtzberg who travel great distances far from their homes to build a better world.”

Hillary Clinton
United States Secretary of State