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 Dobbs Ferry, NY - On Friday, November 28th, Rabbi Benjy Silverman learned that his colleague Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife Rivki, Chabad Lubavitch emissaries to India, had been killed by the terrorists who attacked Mumbai two days before.
Along with thousands of others who had lost family and friends, Chabad of the Rivertown’s Rabbi mourned and prayed.
“The Holtzbergs were truly special people” said Rabbi Silverman “They gave up the comforts of the Western civilization and moved to Mumbai to selflessly help others in need. In a very short time, their home and center became a thriving hub of goodness and kindness, as they dispensed their blend of gracious openheartedness to the local Jewish community and to thousands of tourists and business people who frequented Mumbai.
For several days Rabbi Silverman considered how to best respond to the forces of darkness and evil that were at the heart of the attacks.
“Darkness”, said Rabbi Silverman, “cannot exist in the presence of light. Light shines when a person gives charity. Light shines when we care for our ailing and aged. Light shines when a Jewish woman lights Shabbat candles. So I committed to create an organization that would facilitate this bringing of light into the world. ‘Teen Action Group” is that organization.”
“I have chosen to focus on teenagers because I believe that teens, which have tremendous energy and drive, can make a profound difference and can accomplish unbelievable things. This initiative will give teens a framework for making that impact.
“The mission of ‘T.A.G’”, said the Rabbi, “will be to bring light into the world through a variety of activities such as visiting nursing homes, making audio tapes for the blind, collecting clothing and toys for children in need, and reaching out to other teens in an effort to build multi-cultural understanding.“
“My dream is to one day open a teen center, a sort of teen lounge, where teens feel comfortable walking in to participate in “Teens for Change” or simply to “hang out” and socialize, in a positive, warm and embracing atmosphere”.
“I invite all 9th – 12th grade students in public, private or religious schools in the Rivertowns to attend our emergency organizational meeting; to join me in the memory of my brave colleagues and all the victims of this terrible tragedy. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 10th, 7:30 PM at Chabad of the Rivertowns, 303 Broadway in Dobbs Ferry” concluded Rabbi Silverman.
To help found T.A.G. or for more information, contact Rabbi Benjy Silverman at (914) 693 6100 or visit www.chabadrt.org.
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