Mumbai Mania

Very litle was known about the Jewish center called Nariman House, also called Chabad House, located in the narrow lanes of Colaba. In fact I didn't know something like this existed, in spite of living in South Mumbai for 26 years, until the recent massacre.

The reason I am telling you this is to give you an idea of how low profile the place has been and how well-researched the terrorists were. Chabad House is a centre to serve the Jewish community, conduct religious classes, etc.

A young couple, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah, ran the Chabad center, where they managed a synagogue, offered lodging to Jewish travellers/backpackers, ran a kosher kitchen, among many other services. The place was more like a home away from home for travelers.

What is heart-rending is that the Rabbi and his wife had a 2-year old son, Moshe, who is now an orphan, was rescued by his Indian nanny.

Pictures of little Moshe crying out for his parents at the memorial service appeared in newspapers, its so sad to see a small community being harmed in Mumbai.

Rabbi Banned Photos of Nariman House

With a fear of being attacked by terrorists, Rabbi Holtzberg banned the media from taking pictures inside the building. He didn't want the Chabad House to get unnecessary media coverage, as it could help terrorists looking for information on the layout of the building.

Little did he know that his fear would turn into reality. A private search and rescue organization based in Israel, ZAKA, most of who are Orthodox Jews, is trying to take the bodies of the Jews killed back to Israel.

Mumbai Jews Feel Insecure

There are approx 6000 Jews in India, out of which around 90% of them live in Mumbai and the neighbouring suburb of Thane. Its a small community, who live in harmony with other religious communities in Mumbai.

There never has been an incident as far as I can recall, involving the Jews living in Mumbai. I guess that's why very little is known about them. These terrorist attacks by Islamic militants has put Jewish community in the spotlight.

One of my former colleague, Reema Sisodia, a Mumbai Jew, expressed her concern after these attacks. She was quoted as saying in BBC, "It does not feel good at all. This was like a bolt out of the blue. I am an Indian first, and I am married to a Indian Hindu. I wear the Star of David, and I have never even thought of hiding it. But suddenly I am feeling conscious that I am wearing it. I am feeling vulnerable."

What I find even more ridiculous is that Mumbai Jews, unlike in other countries, are closer to Muslims than to Hindus. They have lived in Muslim-dominated neighbourhoods like Byculla and Dongri, so many Muslim students go to Jewish-run schools, then why did the terrorists kill them?

Terrorism has no religion, faith or spine. They have no purpose in life, except kill people and rejoice with their death. My heart goes out to the 2-year old boy who was crying out "Ema!" (mother) during the memorial service.

Image Source:

Rabbi's pal heard voice of evil on phone during Mumbai massacre