Mumbai: Jewish couple Gabriel Holtzberg and Rivika, who were killed in the terror siege at the Nariman House, were planning a party on the ill-fated night of November 26, when tragedy befell them.
"Rabbi Gabriel and his wife had planned for a party for their community people on Wednesday night. Rivika came to my bakery on November 24 and ordered for 500 pita bread saying she wanted it to make kosher food for their special guests. That was the last time she had spoken to me," Kuresh Zorabi, who runs a bakery right opposite the Nariman House, told reporters.
"The couple often used to send their staff to take bread and other items from my bakery. But since a lot of guests were supposed to come on November 26, Rivika herself came to place the special order," he said.
In remembrance of the ghastly incident, Zorabi has painted the message, `We condemn the terror attack of 26/11` on the front wall of his bakery - Rex and also encircled the bullet marks on it.
Nariman House, a Jewish outreach center run by Chabad-Lubavitch Movement having an educational center and a synagogue, offered drug prevention services and stay to Jews.
Rabbi Holtzberg and Rivika had come to Mumbai in 2003 to serve the local Jewish community.
"They were very nice people who were always within themselves. They did not mingle much with people. We often exchanged pleasantries," Zorabi said.
- PTI
