Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Nanny’s Righteous Act Finds Acclaim in Israel


Sandra Samuel, 44, the Indian nanny who rescued Jewish toddler Moshe Holtzberg from the clutches of terrorists during last week’s terror strike in Mumbai, may be presented with a top Israeli honour usually conferred upon saviours of Jews from Holocaust. Samuel and Moshe reached Jerusalem aboard a special aircraft on Monday.

Moshe is the orphaned son of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka, who were killed after being held captive by terrorists at the Nariman House in Mumbai.

Samuel, lauded a hero by the Chabad movement and Moshe's family for saving the child, could be conferred the "Righteous Gentile" award that could facilitate her stay in Israel, media reports said.

The special honour is usually reserved for those who risked their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust. Samuel, 44, had worked at the Chabad centre for about five years and started caring for Moshe who had become "extremely connected to him".

As terrorists stormed the Chabad centre last week, Samuel locked herself in a room with another staff member.

The following morning, she heard Moshe calling her name and went to look for him. She found Moshe, his pants covered in blood, crying beside his motionless parents.

The Indian nanny told reporters that she grabbed the child and ran outside. Terrorists continued the siege of Nariman House for the next two days, killing several hostages before being gunned down by Indian Army commandos.

No comments: