PM Netanyahu, Moshe Holtzberg unveil plans for living memorial of 26/11 victims at Nariman House

They were welcomed by Rabbi Israel and Chaya Kozlovsky, co-directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Mumbai.

In addition to unveiling the plans for the Living Memorial, the Prime Minister also unveiled a plaque in memory of Moshe’s parents, Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg.

Then  Moshe Holtzberg’s two grandmothers lit an “eternal flame” in remembrance of the victims.

Addressing an excited private audience of family and well-wishers, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “What happened here represents the polar opposites of love and hate, the hatred perpetrated by the terrorists, but it also expressed tremendous love. The love of your parents Gabi and Rivky to you Moshe, and the love that is expressed by the Chabad House here in Mumbai and the love that is expressed by the embracing and loving attitude of the Chabad emissaries around the world which embraces and provides a loving home for every Jew around the world.”

He also inaugurated a beautifully embossed Guest Book where he remarked - "To the Chabad House of Mumbai. Continue in your holy work as instructed by the Rebbe, to kindle light, to banish the darkness, and to spread Ahavat Yisrael – Love of your fellow, in this place and all over! In memory of Rabbi Gavriel and Mrs. Rivka Holtzberg, of blessed memory, whose memory we revere."

After signing the guest book, Netanyahu recounted how the Lubavitcher Rebbe had told him to kindle light and thus to expel the darkness, for such is the nature of light.

Designed to educate and inspire people of all backgrounds to act for the betterment of themselves, their communities and the world, the Living Memorial will place a spotlight on the lives of the Holtzbergs, and the ideals and values that catalyzed them to pursue lives benefiting humanity.

Rabbi Israel Kozlovsky, said of this week's events, “We are excited and humbled to host Moshe and his nanny Sandra Samuel, for their first visit to Nariman House since 2008. We feel blessed and honored to be together on this day with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who graciously accepted our invite to unveil plans for the Living Memorial. The Living Memorial will not only be a fitting tribute to the victims who fell prey to the bullets of the terrorists; it will inspire the belief that every individual has the ability and responsibility to make the world a better place.”

The Living Memorial, set into motion by Chabad of India Trust, will incorporate the apartment where the Holtzbergs lived, as well as the floor where most of the murders occurred. On the top floor—where the sites of the other terror attacks that swept through Mumbai are visible—a reflection garden will offer a serene spot recognizing all the victims of the attacks.

The memorial is set to be inaugurated in 2018 to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and will be open to visitors of all backgrounds and faiths, from India and around the world.