Rosh Hoshanah, the Jewish New Year, birthday of creation, and a time for new beginnings, coincides in India with the arrest and detention of two of three suspects, for the bombing of the German Bakery, Pune.
Alledged bomber 29 year old Mirza Himayat Inayat Baig l was arrested as was Sheik Lalbaba Mohummas Hussain Farid for heading a sleeper cell of terrorists in the wine growing region of Nashik.
The other suspect, Moshin Chowdhary, alleged recruiter for the Indian Mujahabideen, is still on the run and his mother has called for him to surrender and “face the law. If he is guilty he will be punished, else we will all be able to live with pride and dignity.”
He is a suspect in a Hydrabad bombing in 2007. Media footage claimjed that many famous Indian sites, such as the Taj Mahal, were targets.
What has that to do with a Jewish holiday?
Before Passover, news reports revealed that CCTV detected that the bombers had first cased out the Chabad House of Rabbi Kupchick. The explosions occurred around Havdalah on February 13. Police claim that after mistakes made by the bombers in the Mumbai attacks
Pune also has the largest sysnagogu in Asia outside of Isreal, buit by Jewish philanthropist David Sassoon – however, a Rabbi is only available for Sabbath services.
Both Chabad House and the Sassoon Ohel Synogogue are protected by Indian military. You must present your passport at the Chabad House at the bunkered front gate.
As we recreate our lives in this time of renewal, perhaps its a time to reflect on what we can do to make the world a home for God, when military security will not be needed.
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