Do Rabbi's (or you) ever need a high?

Dear Friends,

One year ago I was on a powerful high after an amazing weekend with the Rebbe's Shluchim (emissaries) at the annual conference (see below) in NYC.

Then, the news hit... during the days following the conference, a group of terrorists attacked various sites in Mumbai, including the Jewish Center, and murdered over 170 people, including the Chabad Shliach (emissary) and wife, Rabbi and Mrs. Gavriel & Rivka Holtzberg.

Suddenly that high wasn't so high after all when the final dreadful news came through on Friday afternoon.

Last night, I joined a powerful celebration of joy and energy which pierced through the darkness with a brilliant light that will shine the world over.

As Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg, father of Mrs. Rivky Holtzberg of blessed memory, lifted a Torah that I, amongst thousands from around the world, had the honor to write a letter in memory of our beloved colleagues in Mumbai and the kedoshim murdered with them, it just burst....The tears, the pain, the joy and celebration, a paradox of epic proportions, created an energy that suddenly lifted us all up...

As the majestic scroll was wrapped by Rabbi Nachman Holtzberg, Rabbi Gabi's ob"m's father, the 3,000 Shluchim from around the world were packed into the atrium, and 4,000 plus people gathered outside watching on screens.  As the NYPD painted the city blue for blocks on end, the flamboyantly lit up sound truck led the crowd of thousands in their swirling circles down the main Parkway of Brooklyn.

My dear friends, last night, as we were dancing, I just knew that Gabi and Rivky and all the Kedoshim (people killed just for being Jewish) of Mumbai were there with us, they were watching us…

It was One Torah, given to us by One G-d, reminding us that we are One People... from Merrick to Brooklyn, from heaven to earth, last night we were all dancing together.

Next week, the Torah will be traveling to Mumbai and carry that eternal Jewish spirit with us. Where others destroyed, this Torah will rebuild, where other brought death, this Torah will bring life.

I’m here in Brooklyn for Shabbos and thinking of you.  I’ll be coming back next week and bring the high with me as we continue to offer many programs to inspire the community.  I invite you to join us!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Shimon Kramer