Memorial prayer service for Mumbai victims

When Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, director of the Chabad Jewish Center in Lawrence, first learned his fellow Rabbi, and childhood friend, Gavriel Holtzberg, and his wife Rivkah were killed in the attacks in Mumbai, India he knew he had to do something in their memory. Before he had decided what he would do, he began receiving calls from people in the local Jewish community, who felt the same way.
    Tiechtel organized a memorial prayer service, which was held in the Relay Room at the Burge Union, Thursday, December 4th, for the victims of the Mumbai attacks. Almost 100 students, faculty and members of the Lawrence community gathered for the prayer service.
    Tiechtel knew Gavriel Holtzberg as a classmate, neighbor and friend growing up in Brooklyn.
    "We grew up together. He always inspired me with his passion to do good for others." Tiechtel said.
    Tiechtel remembered first hearing the Holtzbergs were in danger via e-mail from the Chabad movement. When the attacks in Mumbai began, the Chabad headquarters had tried to contact the Holtzbergs, receiving no answer until a terrorist picked up the phone and demanded to speak with the Indian government.
    In response to the deaths in Mumbai, the Jewish community in Lawrence gathered at the prayer service to remember the lives lost.
    "Tonight was the greatest response. Everyone gathered in unity for those killed, both Jews and non-Jews," Tiechtel said.
    Jay Lewis, Kansas Hillel executive director, also attended the prayer service Thursday. Lewis said the attack on the Chabad House in Mumbai was not just sad, but disappointing and scary.
    "Our history is filled with attacks. We are used to remembrance and memorial, but also moving on." Lewis said.
    Jeremy Adkison, Leavenworth freshman, chose to attend the prayer service after seeing Rabbi Tiechtel speak to his Living Religions of the West class. He said it was good for people to attend the prayer service.
    "It's good to be some place with other people, honoring someone. People shouldn't forget the dead." Adkison said.
    The day after the prayer service, the Chabad House held a Jewish Shabbat and candle-lighting ceremony. This is part of "Mitzvoh for Mumbai, A Global Campaign of Goodness and Kindness" the Lawrence Chabad House is participating in. The purpose of the campaign is for people to do good deeds and post them to the campaign's Web site in honor of the victims of Mumbai.
Along with the prayer service, the Lawrence Chabad Jewish Center contributes to the fund held for the Holtzberg's orphaned son, and the rebuilding of the Chabad House in Mumbai. Other Jewish Chabad couples have already volunteered to work at the Chabad House in Mumbai.
    "If this attack deters us we're giving into the terrorists," Tiechtel said.
    Charles Goldberg, Chicago senior, was also at the prayer service, and Shabbat. Goldberg said he felt the prayer service was very meaningful.
    "The point of the Chabad movement is to take the darkness of the world and make it light," Goldberg said, "Jews have seen the most tragedies. We take it, we internalize it and we grow."
    Rabbi Tiechtel hopes to do more in memory of the victims of the Mumbai attacks. He has discussed the possibility of increasing programs, and making some kind of permanent space dedicated to all the victims of the Mumbai attacks.