“We do not yet know the full toll of the senseless and barbaric murders in Mumbai, but today we learned we have lost three New Yorkers: Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka, and Rabbi Leibish Teitelbaum. These are tragic losses for the Lubavitch, Volove, and Satmar communities, and for our entire City. “That the Holtzberg’s son survived is a miracle, and our entire City is grateful for his nanny’s heroic act. During a time of terrible sadness, her courage re-affirms our faith in the capacity of good to triumph over evil.
“Rabbi Teitelbaum, a Brooklyn native who moved to Jerusalem several years ago, was in Mumbai to certify that foods many in New York and across the world feed their families are Kosher.
“Our hearts go out to these families, and to the many New Yorkers of all different religions and ethnicities who have been affected by the attacks. We will continue to pray for all of them, for all the people of Mumbai, for an immediate end to the violence, and for the release of all hostages.”