Rav+Gabi+and+Rivka+Holzberg

toc = = **Rebecca Holtzberg HY”D**  = =  []

=**__Rationale __**=

We chose to do our project about Rebecca Holtzberg and her mission in Mumbai because we wanted to deal with a Jewish subject because we are less interested in scientific issues. Indeed, Rebecca didn't change the world or made a big revolution, but small things do the big changes! In their mission Rebecca and her husband Gavriel gave their life and we found it important to do our project about them. In addition Rebecca's figure leaves a special impression of the Jewish woman- the hospitality, giving to others; warm and love characterizes her figure. When we heard about the terrorist attack we felt that we must do the project about her. Since we live in Israel and lived through the Intifada we feel very connected to the terror attack that happened in Mumbai and because they came from Israel we identified with their deaths. We were very impressed with the families coping with the situation and we wanted to help remembering them.

= Identity card =  __Full name __: Gavriel and Rebecca Holtzberg. __Parents' Names: __ Rebecca's- Shim'on and Yehudit Rozenberg. __Year of Birth: __ Gavriel- 1979, Rebecca- 1982. __Where Born: __ Both in Israel. __Place of Work: __ They both were managers of BEIT CHABAD. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Location: __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> Mumbai, India. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Profession: __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> Rebecca- Teacher, Gavriel- learned in New York and in a Yeshiva in Argentina. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">What they are famous for: __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> They took care of many Jews that toured in India and looked for kosher food, a bed to sleep, Jews, and a warm place to be.

=**__ Article __**= Do you think that in our world everyone worries about himself? In this article you'll see that you are wrong. Here you will read about how people devoted their lives for their nation and for important goals. These people, by their mission, changed something in the world. Rebecca Holtzberg was born in Afula, Israel in 1982. Her parents arrived in Afula because of the Lubavitcher Rabbi's request. She grew up in a warm home that had a strong Jewish mood of hospitality, giving to others and helping everyone. She learned in a Chabad School and after high school she began her studies to be a teacher in the "Rivka" college in the CHABAD village. After Rebecca finished her studding she and Gabriel got married and then she began working in ultra-orthodox Jew high school. Rebecca knew before she got marry that she will do a mission. And when she got married with Gabriel they went to the Chabad organization of the mission to be their representatives. They spent two weeks in Mumbai to check the place. Rebecca and Gavriel fell in love with the place and decide to go on this mission!! __ Information about Mumbai: __ The country full of contrasts- there are many rich people that take the government and they live beside very poor citizen. There are few languages bat the common language is English. The weather is very hot during the year. The phenomenon, of the position very common. The community in Mumbai, unlike the other Diaspora in the world that called "Jews" is called "Benei Israel". The source of this community is in 7 families that there ship sank in the sea and they survived and arrived to Mumbai's shores. All this happened during the time of "BEIT HAMIKDASH" and they try to preserve the tradition as much as they can.

The kinds of people that come to Mumbai are: business men- especially diamond dealers that come once a month for a week; many travelers- most of them after army service; that come to break out the routine, there are some that come to India because it is very cheap and popular to travel there.

__ BEIT CHABAD in Mumbai: __ Moreover than Beit Chabad used us a worm home for the traveler, it also was a place that add another meaning to the unclear trip. The traveler came to Beit Chabad and become connected to their Jews roots. There were few that put on phylacteries in there first time in there life. Beit Chabad is working 24 hours in a day, every day .All the time they need prepare kosher food for the traveler. Rebecca gave classes in the family purity. They activated the school on Sunday. The mission demands production of events like holidays and Shabbat. More then their devotion for the mission Rebecca and Gavriel have devotion for their own family. Rebecca and Gabriel had three children. Their first child died from genetics disease. The second lived in Israel and the third one- Moishi lived with them in Mumbai. Rebecca also was pregnant in the fifth month in her death.

__ The hardest situations: __ There were three big hardest situations on the beginning of the mission: The first one was to find an apartment in Mumbai. The rules for foreigners were strict. The finding of the apartment took them three months, but finally they found a penthouse in hotel, facing the sea. The second was that they were "rich" relative to the other people in Mumbai, when they asked for help they can't know if the person who helps them really wants to help them or he want money. The mission also demands a soul power because of the hard situations. __ The end: __ On November 27.2009 the worst happened. Terrorists came to Mumbai and took the lives of many innocent people in wicked slaughter. Both Gavriel and Rebecca were killed by these terrorists. Only Moishe their son survived because his care-taker rescued him. The bodies of Gavriel and Rebecca were brought to Israel for proper burial, many people attended the funeral. Moishe is now growing up in Israel in his grandparents' home.
 * May they rest in peace! **

=** Speech **= <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">After half a year Yhudit Rozenberg, Rebecca's mother is reminded of the terrible event that changes her life. "It was on November, 26 at 8 o'clock pm. The phone rang and someone from the CHABAD worldwide <span style="color: #000099; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">center asked me for Rebecca and Gavriel's phone numbers. I didn't suspect anything. A few minutes later, the phone rang again, but now it was from the Foreign Ministry. I felt like something not good was happening. I asked them for information, but they only told me that there were a few terrorist attacks in Mumbai. But they didn't know what was happening.

We decided to fly to Rebecca and Gavriel that were in India, after we realized what's going on BEIT CHABAD. As time passed, we felt stronger and stronger that something not good is happening, so we wanted to be with our children or in a closer place. Until the flight was organized we listened to the radio all the time and we tried to collect pieces of information. When we were in Mumbai we stayed as guests in the US consulate and there we met Moishie and Sandra, his nanny. Although Moishie was very anxious, he was happy to see us. Moishie felt comfortable with us because Rebecca would come to Israel 3 times a year and the last time she came was 2 months ago so Moishie remembered us well. On Saturday morning, Moishie's birthday an embassy worker informed us that it's over. Rebecca and Gavriel died. We tried to get over because of the SHABAS. When we prayed the words hit us and it was really hard. Moishie didn't understand anything. He was attached to Sandra. We tried to make him happy but it was difficult to be happy in this situation.

Before we left Mumbai the Israeli delegation made a memory ceremony in the synagogue. Suddenly, in the middle of the ceremony Moishie shouted: "mum! Mum!" maybe it because Rebecca took he sometimes to this place in Shabas and holydays. Nobody in the audience stayed apathetic. After the ceremony we came back to Israel and we organized the funeral.

After the funeral, the big question that bather us was who will bring up moishei??? At first, we thought that it will be good if moishei will grow up with children at about his age. We thought maybe one of our daughters will take care of him. Finally, we realized that it will be better if we bring him up. At this moment and my husband and me decided that we return back thirty years and become young parents. We will always remember that moishei wouldn't be here unless Sandra, his nanny saved him and showed bravery and courage. Sandra came with us to Israel and said she won't leave moishei until he will grow up. Although she left two sons in Mumbai and she don't know the language. Despite the hardest and the crisis we are trying to be happy and to continue with our faith. We thanks' Gad a lot about the kindness that he do with us every day.

The End. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">

=** Reflections **= <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">While I was working on my project, I was exposed to a very great person with a special personality who had extraordinary values that didn't just stay as values but they were brought out and executed in a way that made me realizes that we must not look for an easy and comfortable life. I learned that we shouldn't just talk about our ideas and values but live them. Another thing that I learned from working on this project is English. I learned a new vocabulary and a lot of grammar. It wasn't easy. It was very difficult to write the article and the speech. We needed to check a lot of words in the dictionary to be able to write in a language that we haven't learned in our childhood. I think that our pace can be improved. We didn't submit almost anything at time. Despite the difficulty it was worth it!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Noy **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">.

During my study about Rebecca Holtzberg who died in a terrorist attack in Mumbai I understood what is bravery and sacrifice. Through Rebecca's mission I have learnt that l need to dedicate at least some of my time to others as well, and that I, too, am capable of that just as they were capable of dedicating their whole life for their beliefs.

The project exposed me to different places that I haven't seen before. For example, when I collected the information about Mumbai I saw how awful their situation is, their poverty, and that strengthened my feeling that there is much more to do and learn in the world.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 150%;">

=**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 150%;">Interview **= <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">

family? ** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">QUESTIONS: __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">1) What values did you get when you were young that brought you to this mission? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">2) What are the goals of the Chabad Centers? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">2) How did you get involved with the BEIT CHABAD mission? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">3) Can you tell us more about the country? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">4) Where and what did you study after high school? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">6) How many children do you have? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">7) What was the duty of Beit Chabad in Mumbai? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">8) What is your daily schedule? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">9) What were the hardest situations in the mission? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">10) What does the mission demand from you? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">11) What kind of people comes to your house in Mumbai? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">12) Is there a community in Mumbai or did you only have your

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">ANSWERS: __**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">1) In an interview Rebecca told that in her parents' house they educated about giving, help to other person and the house was always open to every body. Hospitality. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">2) Rebecca knew before she got marry that she will do a mission. And when she got married with Gabriel they went to the Chabad organization of the mission to be their representatives. They spent two weeks in Mumbai to check the place. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">3) The country full of contrasts- there are many rich people that take the government and they live beside very poor citizen. There are few languages bat the common language is English. The weather is very hot during the year. The phenomenon, of the position very common. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">4) After high school Rebecca started learn education in the college "Beit Rivka" in Chabad village, and then she began working in ultra-orthodox Jew high school. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">5) Rebecca and Gabriel got married after Rebecca finished her studding. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">6) Rebecca and Gabriel had three children. Their first child died from genetics disease the second lived in Israel and the third one- Moishi lived with them in Mumbai. Rebecca also was pregnant in the fifth month. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">7) Moreover than Beit Cabad used us a worm home for the traveler it also was a place that add another meaning to the unclear trip. The traveler came to Beit Chabad and become connected to their Jews roots. There were few that put on phylacteries in there first time in there life. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">8) Beit Chabad is working 24 hours in a day, every day .All the time they need prepare kosher food for the traveler. Rebecca gave classes in the family purity. They activated the school on Sunday. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">9) There were three big hardest situations on the beginning of the mission: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The first one was to find an apartment in Mumbai. The rules for foreigners were strict. The finding of the apartment took them three months, but finally they found a penthouse in hotel, facing the sea.. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">The second was that they were "rich" relative to the other people in Mumbai, when they asked for help they can't know if the person who helps them really wants to help them or he want money. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">`10) The mission demands production of events like holidays and Shabbat. It also demands a soul power because of the hard situations. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">11) The kinds of people that come to Mumbai are: business men- especially diamond dealers that come once a month for a week; many travelers- most of them after army service; that come to break out the routine, there are some that come to India because it is very cheap and popular to travel there. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">12) The community in Mumbai, unlike the other diaspora in the world called "Jews" is called "Benei Israel". The source of this community is in 7 families that there ship sank in the sea and they survived and arrived to Mumbai's shores. All this happened during the time of "BEIT HAMIKDASH" and they try to preserve the tradition as much as they can. **

** Bibliography ** < [|http://www.shturem.net/index.php?section=news&id=31755] > < [|http://www.morfix.co.il] > Makor Rishon, dyokan,