Debbie Schlussel: Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center Taken By Islamic Terrorists in Mumbai; Jews Targeted, Taken Hostage
In addition to taking Americans and Britons hostage and targeting them for death in today's terrorist attacks in India, Islamic terrorists have also overtaken the Chabad Lubavitch center in India and taken an Israeli Jewish family hostage. I have a special place in my heart for Chabad Lubavitch because this group has always been kind to me and made it easier for me to practice Jewish observances. And they do great things--feeding and housing gentile homeless and AIDS patients, etc.
UPDATE (10:45PM): A live CNN reports that the Chabad House had been taken over by the terrorists,and that Indian forces were attempting to storm the facility.
That Was Then . . .
This Is Now . . .
The situation is grim late Wednesday in Mumbai (Bombay) India where reports of more than 80 dead and 250 wounded are seeping out of the beleaguered city. Of great concern is the silence from Chabad's representatives to Mumbai, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg. No one from the Chabad center has been heard from since the attacks.The dead and wounded are victims of a sophisticated plot in which seven locations throughout the city were attacked by terrorists. Several of the city’s most exclusive hotels, a restaurant, train station, and hotel were bombed. The attacks come as the country is consumed by controversial elections.
The city, which is India's financial capital, plays host to many foreigners and their embassies are assisting in the search and rescue efforts.
Lubavitch personnel in Bangkok, Israel and New York are working closely with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the U.S. government to help establish contact with the Holtzbergs and other missing persons in the Chabad House area.
Mumbai's Chabad House, situated near the sites of destruction, is a popular stop for Israeli tourists. The Holtzbergs offer a host of programs, including providing kosher food, to locals and visitors alike.
I am praying for these people and also all of my innocent fellow Americans targeted by today's attacks. And I ask that you do, too.
A plot to bomb Penn Station, this brutal set of attacks across India, and dozens of attacks a week around the world for the last decade or more. All perpetrated by the so-called "Religion of Peace".
When will we learn that Islam is not the religion of peace and is not to be treated with kid gloves, but with iron fists?
Posted by Debbie on November 26, 2008 11:45 PM to Debbie Schlussel