From the editor: This section is dedicated to opinions on public and social issues that affect the Malibu community and our readers at large.
Answering Mumbai terror with acts of caring
We all watched in horror this past week as our world once again witnessed the ghastly realities of terrorism. Innocent mothers, fathers and children of many nationalities were murdered in cold blood in Mumbai, India. Unfortunately, news of such savage terror attacks does not always carry the deep shock that it should. One of the most notorious killers of our age, Joseph Stalin, said: “A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic.” Stalin’s evil mind understood that murder on a mass scale can be hard to comprehend and that our senses can grow numb when repeatedly subjected to such brutality.
When I listen to the radio and hear about an accident that has caused traffic delays, the news is often reported in a dry, matter-of-fact way. But I often wonder about the awful reality for the person who has just been hit, or for his or her family when they learn the news. Similarly, we routinely hear of another one of our troops being hurt or killed in Iraq or Afghanistan, often presented as just another number on some chart.
But each one of these incidents represents a life. A unique, precious life that has a big story attached to it. The premature end of that life will leave behind family and friends who are suddenly grieving, and whose future will never again be the same. That cold-sounding statistic represents somebody’s child. It may mean the creation of a widow. Perhaps it means that somewhere a little girl or boy is now an orphan.
This past week, my wife and I watched in shock as terrorists invaded Mumbai and massacred more than 170 victims. The tragedy hit home for us when we learned that our beloved colleagues, Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah, had been taken hostage with some of their guests at the local Chabad House. As we now know, they were later murdered.
In 1950, the Lubavitcher Rebbe of blessed memory had a dream: to create houses of light that would offer joy, love and warmth; to build a network of institutions that would promote the teachings of Jewish mysticism and usher into our world an era of true love and peace. The Rebbe began by sending young couples to all four corners of this earth, inspiring them to be part of this revolution of kindness, compassion, and harmony. Today there are over 3,500 Chabad centers around the world. The Rabbis and Rebbitzens all share the same open-minded mentality and provide a welcoming atmosphere to visitors. It was in this spirit that the Holtzbergs went to Mumbai.
Rabbi and Rebbitzen Holtzberg embraced the spirit of unity that our world so badly needs. They dedicated their lives to bringing hope and joy to others, and to offering a warm, Jewish home to people from all walks of life. Together they worked tirelessly to meet the never-ending needs of their community, and they did it with absolute love. The Holtzbergs’ toddler son, Moshe Tzvi, miraculously survived as a result of the heroic acts of Sandra Samuel. Since his parents’ loving lives were cut short in the name of some twisted belief, he is now an orphan.
As the local Chabad rabbi, I have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love that we received in the wake of the Mumbai tragedy. The countless e-mails and phone calls from so many of you here in Malibu are very meaningful. Many of you have asked me, “What now?” How should we respond to this ever growing, hellish ideology that is killing our nation’s best and eating like a cancer at other freedom-loving countries?
Chabad’s answer is that we will not allow a small group of cowards to shatter the bigger dream. The only way to fight darkness is to shine a light. Together we must become more cognizant of the darkness that is looming, and we must illuminate the globe with light. An act of selfless goodness and kindness toward a neighbor, this is a light. Taking some time out of our busy lives to help an elderly citizen, this is light. Assisting someone who is sick, or homeless, or addicted, this is a light. Every day, in ways large and small, each one of us has a chance to shine a light.
The ideology of hatred is knocking at our door. Our response must be clear and strong. By strengthening our commitment to the Rebbe’s dream, by reaching out to others with compassion, charity, and caring, we will finally realize a world of true peace for all of God’s children.
By Rabbi Levi Cunin
Chabad of Malibu