For hours we've been trying to understand what's happening in Mombai, as police have stormed the Chabad House in an attempt to rescue the hostages. There seems to be total anarchy.
The violence doesn't jive with India's peaceful reputation. Thousands of Israelis are there are all times in order to escape our stressful existence. It looks like the greener grass is just an illusion.
One neighbor, not a kid, who went on a tour and just got back this week, reported that her group had eaten at the Mombai Chabad House on Shabbat and had met the Chabad-Lubavitch emissary Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka. There were absolutely no security precautions whatsoever.
Of course, until something happens, who takes precautions? India's a large country, and presumably most areas are relatively safe? But if this attack came without warning, then who knows what the next target will be?
Refuah Shleimah
Chodesh Tov
Shabbat Shalom
A Complete Recovery to all of the Wounded
Have a Good Month (It's the first day of the Jewish Month of Kislev)
A Peaceful and Blessed Sabbath to All
4 comments:
I don't like when people travel overseas and are amazed that there's no security guard checking bags at the mall, or walking into a shul with no cop cars outside.
That's how it is supposed to be.
Are Jews expected to post guards outside every institution? Is anyone really serious of expecting the Israeli government to guard over 3000 Chabad houses overseas? Should they? (since when do people all of a sudden have a love affiar with Haredi Jews)
It certainly isn't Israel's responsibility to guard Jews abroad.
The shlichim have to fundraise for everything, and I guess security must be included, if they can find the funds. But from what I understand, most will prefer education and in India, the kosher food is the priority.
Batya, Shalom!
India isn't so peaceful. Hindu - Moslem tensions are always present "under the surface" and there are flare-ups.
This post reminded me of an Oleg cartoon, so I looked for it. And didn't find it. I do remember the text. The leader (what's his title?) of India asks the prime minister of Israel, "You think you've got problems with terrorists?" Apparently the targets of the terrorists have expanded to include Jews and other foreigners. No surprise there.
Josh, it would be nice not to need a guard outside of every Jewish institution, but apparently we do. More and more synagogues and Jewish schools around the world are hiring guards. As for the "love affair", everyone loves a dead Jew... But also Chabad has many fans due to their extensive outreach work. Many a college student or stranded traveler on a business trip has memories of "this great Chabad rabbi".
According to news I read (not that we can believe everything reported)this attack was not without warning. The fishermen's union reported a large shipment of smuggled explosives and America had also warned India.
Hashem Yikom Damam and Refuah Shleimah to all the injured.
Has Israel allowed Moshe's nanny in yet? Of all the people banned...
Hadassa
Thanks, Hadassa
Remembering history, the same time as our post WWII War of Independence, the Hindus and Muslims were fighting for theirs in the Indian sub-continent. The results, after millions of people were transferred from their homes, were two countries, Pakistan and India. The British planned the same for us, actually. They had also had the mandate there.
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