Though last week's attacks in Mumbai, India, happened thousands of miles away, Jewish residents of State College have been affected and are finding ways to help those hurt by the attacks.
The Chabad Jewish Student Center of Penn State is holding memorial events to mourn the deaths of six Jewish people who were killed at Mumbai's Chabad house, which was destroyed in the attacks.
Gunmen began a 60-hour terrorist seige in Mumbai on Nov. 26 and 171 people were killed, according to the Associated Press.
The deceased include Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka, who ran Mumbai's Chabad house.
"Losing a colleague is a very difficult thing," said Rabbi Nosson Meretsky, director of Penn State's Chabad. Though he did not know the Holtzbergs personally, he said "everyone who met them spoke about how incredible they were."
Penn State Chabad is participating in an international Chabad campaign called "Mitzvot for Mumbai," which Meretsky and his wife promoted at a table in the HUB-Robeson Center Wednesday. The table is also open today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The campaign encourages people to remember the victims in Mumbai by taking part in different Jewish rituals and by giving to charity. Women are encouraged to light Shabbat candles, which "represent bringing light to the world," said Chabad co-director Sarah Meretsky. Men are encouraged to wear Tefillin -- leather boxes worn on the head and one arm -- which contains prayers that "help combat evil," she said.
Chabad is also raising money to rebuild Mumbai's Chabad house and to support children of the victims, including the Holtzbergs' 2-year-old son, Moshe.
The couple's Indian nanny, whom Rabbi Meretsky called "an amazing heroine," saved the boy. Though Moshe's maternal grandparents are taking care of him now, "it's like he's been adopted by the 4,000 other Jews in Mumbai," Meretsky said.
Contributions can also be made at mitzvotformumbai.org. About 4,000 people have committed through the Web site to take part in one of the rituals.
Though they are small acts, giving to charity or taking part in these rituals are important, Meretsky said.
"Every individual has an opportunity to save the world by one simple act," he said.
Female Chabad members will light Shabbat candles at 4:15 p.m. Friday at the Chabad House to show their respect for the victims.
"The initial response is to try to add light to the darkness," Meretsky said, adding, "Our response to this is to continue to build and to get stronger.
