A memorial solidarity tribute for the Mumbai Chabad House victims was held by Chabad Lubavitch of Westchester, at the Young Israel of Scarsdale.
All six local shluchim participated, Rabbis: Dovid Labkowski, Benjy Silverman, Yossi Butman, Arik Wolf, Mendel Silberstein, and Velvl Butman.
A crowd of 500, from across Westchester attended.
Rabbi Velvl Butman spoke on behalf of the six local shluchim, and shlucha Rochel Butman on behalf of the six shluchos. Each shlucha lit a memorial candle for the victims.
Mr. Martin Rogowsky, Majority Leader of Westchester County Legislature, arranged for the county to dedicate a memorial resolution in honor of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg HY”D.
Mr. Andrew Spano, County Executive, dedicated Westchester’s highest Medal of Honor for Distinguished Service in memory of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg.
Mr. Wayne Goldstein, Chairman of UJA Westchester, delivered a message of solidarity and admiration for the great global work of Chabad.
Ms. Hillary Lewin, who recently spent 5 weeks at Chabad House of Mumbai, recounted her personal experiences with the Holtzbergs. She spoke of their warm, giving and selfless personalities, their inspiring dedication to Am Yisrael, and vividly described the beautiful Friday night Shabbat dinners at Chabad House. She recounted how little Moishe, in a bow tie and patent leather shoes, held his father’s hand at the head of the Shabbos table while singing Shabbos songs.
Mitzvah cards were given to each participant, generating hundreds of Mitzvahs in honor of the victims.
Chazen Beryl Zuker movingly concluded the evening with Keil Malei Rachamim, Oseh Shalom and Ani Maamin.
