Afula, Iisarel – Rivka Holtzberg, the 27-year-old wife of Chabad House Rabbi, Gavriel Holtzberg, would frequently visit her family in Israel and stay on for a month or two, leaving her husband behind at the Jewish centre in Mumbai. Sandra Samuel, the nanny of their son Moshe, feels her latest separation from whom she calls “my Rivki”, is one such. “I feel like I will see her soon one of these days,” Sandra says. “Even now I don’t feel like she’s gone.”
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
It’s been one month since that night of horror on November 26 when the little-known orthodox Jewish centre in a Colaba lane in south Mumbai was targeted by Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists. But for Sandra, who is now a couple of time zones away from Mumbai in this nondescript northern Israeli town, it all seems like yesterday. “It is still fresh in my mind. I can’t forget it, I can’t sleep,” she told The Indian Express.
Forty-four-year-old Sandra’s name made international headlines after she managed to flee the Chabad House building on the morning of November 27 with Moshe, the two-year-old son of Gavriel and Rivka, when there was a lull in the firing by the two Lashkar men who had laid siege. Within days they were both whisked away to safety in Israel, where little Moshe has been dubbed the ‘Miracle of Mumbai’ while Sandra is being called a “hero” for saving the life of a Jew and has become a mini celebrity.
But the nanny and her ward are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy that has swept through their lives even as they try to get accustomed to new surroundings, a new culture, new people and new living conditions such as the cold winter. Moshe clings to Sandra, the only person he knows from his life in Mumbai, and sleeps with her in a first-floor room. “In Mumbai, he would sleep at nine and when we came here he would go to bed by 6.30 p.m. or 7 which is roughly the time difference I think,” Sandra said. “Now he doesn’t sleep until very late and even I don’t sleep. I manage to close my eyes around 1 and barely sleep for two or two-and-a-half hours.”
The two have become part of the large family of Moshe’s maternal grandparents — Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg and his wife Yehudit, and their 10 children and 30 or so grandchildren who visit the Afula home of the Rosenbergs frequently since Moshe and Sandra moved there. But the little boy still misses his parents. “He asks for them at least 10 times everyday,” says Sandra. “I tell him they are gone, that they are in the sky, khuda ke paas chale gaye.” Rabbi Rosenberg says the two are inseparable. “He trusts her completely. He gets disturbed even if he doesn’t see her for a second. It’s a very strong bond.”
Keeping this in mind, the Rosenbergs and Chabad officials have got the Israeli Government to give Sandra a three-year visa and she says she will stay as long as she is wanted. “But I know India is my country and I love my country and I have to return if not today, tomorrow,” she said. But she cannot go back to working at Chabad House even though Chabad officials want her. “I don’t want to return,” she said. “I know in my heart that there can’t be another Rabbi Gavriel and Rivki.”
When this reporter spoke to Sandra on the phone from India last week to schedule the interview, she was asked if she needed anything to be carried for her from Mumbai. “No, thank you, that is really kind of you but I have all that I need here,” she had said. “But a little later I realised I should have asked you for something. But I didn’t have your number,” she said in Afula. “I want the Indian flag. I know I will be here for January 26 and August 15 and I want to put it in my room.”
i cant belive 4 weeks passd since the tragery happend, and its still so strong the pain.
And indeed they are, looking down to him, and sheping nachas, and lets not forget the hashem is the father all yesomim, where in this case his the father and mother….
this is a horrible tradgedy but she is a savior
I feel for both of you. There must be a reason why Hashem is keeping you both together. You must have shared something beautiful in your past lives. A beautiful bond! May Hashem watch over you and protect you from further harm. With all my love.
But she cannot go back to working at Chabad House even though Chabad officials want her. “I don’t want to return,” she said. “I know in my heart that there can’t be another Rabbi Gavriel and Rivki.”
these words brought tears to my eyes
these are indeed powerful words! she knew them so well. to hear the maid praise is amasing, it shows how they respected each and every person.
I am trying to follow in there footsteps
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch siman 165 seif 16. How is it that this does not apply in this situation?
It’s so touching. This whole matzav has left me very sad every time i read about it i get all teary eyed! It’s a True Nechama to know that there are still some good people left in this world! Hashem Yikom Dmam!
I’m crying, I’m so sad, so emotional, she is a beautiful person. Hashem should bless her and Moshele with all good revealed blessings and take care of all there needs.
Hashem please comfort Moshele.
This selfless, devoted non-Jew has so much more Emunah in the Aibishter than most Jews…she is waiting for Moshiach, even though she doesn’t express herself as such. If we all had her level of Btochen Moshiach would be here already. I am ashamed.
Hellooo…please do not reduce this to such pettiness.
Sandra Samuele is the care tacker
interesting to note:
her last name in hebrew is as Shmuel which means the “name of hashem”
the name of Hashem that is used to protect us is “SH.aD.Ai.
look at the letter of Sandra in hebrew samach nun dalet reish
you have the same gematria of 314
she is special
good shabbos a freilichin chanukah and a gutin chodesh
A.S.D.
The caretaker is a oved avodah zara and she has been the boys sole caretaker for months at a time.
The psuk does not refer to only a teacher, but to any caretaker or apprentice relationship. Surely there is a JEW somewhere within the Lubavitch community who can take over the care of this poor little boy so that he will be raised as a Jew rather than having the tenets of Avodah Zara instilled upon his tender little soul from his youngest moments.
If you think that halachah is pettiness or think that an Oved of Avodah Zara “has so much more Emunah in the Aibishter than most Jews.” then something is terribly wrong.
Only a posek can give a heter to dispense with halacha in a life and death situation. That situation has ended and now the whole Jewish world is watching.
It is wrong to praise a blatant violation of halacha on an Orthodox blog even if it “feels good” to do so.
i admire the fact that she takes such good care of the child
#15 , you obviously misunderstood the facts, as #16 explained. When Sandra said she is used to Rivky HY’D being away for a month or more at a time, Rivky hy’d was WITH her Moishe, obviously–but had to be in Israel to be with her ill son, a’h.
Obviously, the grandparents, as well as extended family, would love to be the sole mechanchim of this precious neshama, –but his psychological attachment to the only remnant of his old life is pikuach nefesh too. Of course, she is living in their home, and they are very involved in every aspect of his life.
Above all, you should have the common sense to trust that this family of Yirei Shamayim is consulting with the appropriate rabbanim–so kindly keep your negative, ill-informed comments to yourself.