NEW YORK (WJC)–The headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in New York has announced plans for rebuilding Nariman House in Mumbai, nearly two years after it was attacked by Islamist terrorists.
The organization said that the top floor of the refurbished Jewish center in the Indian city would be turned into a memorial dedicated to Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka, who lost their lives in the terror attack. The Holtzberg couple ran the community center and kosher kitchen in the building. The building’s fourth floor will house a memorial for victims of terrorism.
“The terrorists may have murdered Gabi and Rivki, but they will not be able to end their work or their legacy. We won’t allow it – that’s why we are currently putting together the plan,” said Rabbi Yosef Kantor, the Chabad official responsible for the rebuilding effort in Mumbai.
The floor plan includes a space for social functions on the third floor of the building, a synagogue and Torah study center on the second floor, and a kosher kitchen on the first floor. Chabad officials are to discuss the plan with Indian security experts.
“We will not allow the terrorists to end the legacy of the Holtzbergs’ work,” said Kantor. “This includes ensuring that when their son Moshe, comes of age, this place will be here for him.” During the attacks, Moshe, then a two-year-old toddler, was rescued by his Indian nanny Sandra Samuel who now lives with him at his grandparents’ home in Israel.
The six-floor Nariman House, located in a busy district of Mumbai, was badly damaged by heavy gunfire and a grenade attack. Some residents of the area were involved in the rescue operation by special commandos of India’s police.
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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress