November 19, 2009
LOCAL CENTER COMMEMORATES
FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF
“MASON MITZVAH DAY”
Mason CityCouncil honors victims of Mumbai massacres one year ago
Last year, the world watched in horror as a small, but organized group of terrorists hit Mumbai, India, with a series of coordinated attacks over the course of three frightening days. When the last bullet had been fired and the smoke finally cleared, the trail of blood and fire they left throughout Mumbai had claimed nearly 200 innocent lives, leaving scores of others maimed and wounded.
Among the terrorists' chosen targets was the local Chabad House, known as the "Nariman House." The casualties there included Chabad representatives Rabbi Gavriel Noach and his wife Rebbetzin Rivkah Holtzberg, and their four guests.
In response to the horrific events, the city of Mason’s Mayor Tom Grossmann proclaimed November 28, “Chabad of Mason Mitzvah Day,” calling upon citizens to increase in acts of goodness and kindness in memory of the Mumbai Massacre victims. The proclamation was presented to local Chabad representative, Rabbi Yosef Kalmanson of The Jewish Discovery Center (JDiscovery.com), at the city’s meeting of City Council.
To commemorate “Chabad of Mason Mitzvah Day” on the first anniversary of the massacre, the rabbi is reiterating the Mayor’s call to honor those who lost their lives with increased acts of goodness and kindness.
“What better way to honor the memories of our colleagues who died while on the front lines of a raging spiritual battle, radiating love, kindness, and inspiration to the far-flung corners of the earth,” said Rabbi Yosef. “When terror strikes, our response is to put more good into the world. If 10 people can perpetrate so much evil, imagine the good 100,000 people can accomplish.”
The Chabad centers are creating a passionate revolution of light by requesting the public to add in their observance of a Mitzvah [Divine] deed, in honor of those who died. On November 28, “Chabad of Mason Mitzvah Day”, the rabbi joins over 4,000 of his colleagues around the world in encouraging every person to take part in this monumental world-wide effort.
A grassroots effort is underway, encouraging people to counter the terror acts by posting a Mitzvah pledge on a specially designed website at JDiscovery.com/Mumbai. A campaign has also developed to post a Mitzvah pledge at facebook.com/MasonRabbi or to ‘Tweet’ a good deed over the popular Twitter site with the #MyMitzvah hashtag on November 28, 2009.
“As rumors and doubts circulated during the [Mumbai] crisis, the power of social media stood out as a tool of communication and empowerment in the face of fear, confusion and terror,” explained Kalmanson. “Now, people on Twitter and other social networks will use this same medium to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of those who lost their lives.”
According to Kalmanson, each good deed, however small in nature, becomes part of a tapestry of light and life - something far more powerful than any force of darkness. “Help the needy, study wisdom, pray from the heart, say ‘I love you.’” he suggests.
The Mumbai Chabad House is part of the global Chabad-Lubavitch network of more than 4,000 emissary families in 47 US states and 73 countries around the world. The Jewish Discovery Center is one of the 5 greater-Cincinnati Chabad branches and serves Butler, Warren and Northern Hamilton counties.
Chabad centers are Jewish hubs dedicated to spreading light and goodness in their respective communities. Open to every Jew, regardless of affiliation or level of observance, these community centers host classes, lectures and experiential workshops on Jewish topics, religious services, Shabbat and Jewish holiday meals, family Jewish experiences, preschools, religious schools, day schools, summer camps and more, responding to the unique needs of their respective community. Chabad centers typically offer social services as well, including counseling services, hospital visitations, prison visitations, senior citizen programming and the Friendship Circle for physically or mentally challenged children.
“While others seek to destroy the world, we seek to repair it,” said Rabbi Kalmanson. “Others seek to spread darkness and hatred; we must be as dedicated to causing light and love to shine wherever we go. If we increase in a Mitzvah act, we can bring light to the world and transform it.”
For more information, call 513.234.0777 or write to [email protected].
To learn more about Chabad or its programs, visit JDiscovery.com.
