New York, Nov 29: Minutes before terrorists took him and his wife hostage, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg made a last call to his headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement here, saying that the "situation was not good".

Seconds later, the Rabbi was cut off..

Now, the brutal killings of the New York-raised Gavriel and his wife Rivkah by terrorists, who had taken over the Nariman building in Mumbai, has plunged the Jewish community here into grief.

Jews had been praying round the clock for the safety of the 29-year-old Rabbi and his wife (26) after it became known that they had been taken hostages by the terrorists.

The community believes that the two were targeted by the Islamic radicals just because of their religion, but expressed determination to continue the fight against the terrorists.

Leaders of Chabad-Lubavitch movement to which they belonged called on their members worldwide to go ahead with courage and continue their efforts to serve the Jews.

The bodies of Holtzbergs were found yesterday by the commandos who had stormed the Chabad house. However, their two-year-old son was freed earlier.

Mumbai's Nariman House, a building owned by thereligious Jews' 'Chabad' movement, is said to be a popular stop for Israeli tourists wherethe Holtzbergs offered visitors a host of programmes, including providing kosher food.

Rabbi Yahuda Krinsky, who heads the social service and education programs of the movement, called the attacks, which claimed more than 150 lives, a "tragic act of cold-blooded murder of innocent men, women and children."

"You know how to face adversity and challenges," said Krinsky. "Keep strong and continue to forge ahead with courage and fortitude in the service of our people and mankind, to make this world a better place to live - for all."

Bureau Report