DALIA SABLE, CHANTAL ABITBOL AND SYLVIA DEUTSCH

AUSTRALIAN students were among thousands worldwide who commemorated the first anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attacks with a communal Shabbat dinner.

A global directive by Chabad on Campus in New York, “Bring a Friend Shabbat” aimed to be the largest campus-based Shabbat celebration and was held in memory of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, who were Chabad shluchim (emissaries).

The couple, together with four others, were murdered in Nariman House, the headquarters of Chabad in Mumbai, on November 26, 2008.

In all, more than 170 people were killed over three days of terrorism in the tourist districts of the city.

Moshe Holtzberg, the infant son of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, meanwhile, was spirited to safety by the Holtzbergs’ Indian nanny, Sandra Samuel.

Hailed as “a child of all Israel”, the toddler marked his third birthday at a gathering in Kfar Chabad on November 18.

Two thousand people attended the event, held to remember the victims and to see Moshe have his first haircut in accordance with religious tradition.

According to Samuel, it took some time for Moshe to recover from the attack, and he can now look at pictures of his parents without crying.

In Melbourne, Chabad Campus’ Rabbi Daniel and Sara Rabin organised a special dedication to the Holtzbergs. Rabbi Rabin honoured Rivkah’s love of Shabbat with an intimate Shabbat dinner for 20 students.

At the meal, participants were encouraged to spend a few quiet moments reflecting on a personal resolution in memory of the slain rabbi and his wife.

“If 10 people could cause so much chaos and tragedy,” he said, referring to the gunmen and hostage takers, “then 20 positive resolutions could change the world for good.”

Rabbi Rabin also honoured Rabbi Holtzberg’s love of scholarship and learning, by dedicating his weekly shiur to self-sacrifice and Jewish pride.

Meanwhile in Canberra, a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the Mumbai terrorist attack one year ago was held at the National Jewish Memorial Centre last week.

In particular, the slain Chabad emissaries were remembered at the event, which was organised jointly by Chabad of the ACT, the Israeli embassy and the ACT Jewish Community.

ACT Jewish Community president Dr Anita Shroot, Israeli embassy deputy chef de mission Eli Yerushalmi and Rabbi Dan Avital spoke at the memorial, and local resident Donald Chambers lit a candle.