November 30, 2008 / 3 Kislev 5769

Among those killed in the terror attack in Mumbai's Chabad House was Norma Shvarzblat Rabinovich who was scheduled to make aliyah tomorrow

Norma Shvarzblat Rabinovich, a Mexican citizen, was supposed to make aliyah tomorrow (Monday December 1st) and join two of her children who had already immigrated to Israel.

In recent months, Norma was travelling in India with the intention of making aliyah at the end of her trip. She made contact with the Jewish Agency office in Mumbai and was to fly to Israel tomorrow for the 18th birthday of her son Manuel who had made aliyah several months ago.

Norma was 50 years old when she was killed, a divorcée with three children: Jean, 24, a student living in Tel Aviv who had made aliyah in December 2004, Manuel, age 18, who made aliyah several months ago and is studying at the "Hadarat Melech" yeshiva in B'nai Brak, and another daughter, Orly, age 21, who is living with her father in Mexico.

The Chairman of the Jewish Agency Zeev Bielski expressed deep sorrow upon the death of Norma Shvarzblat Rabinovich who wished to make aliyah but who was shot down by the terrorists while she was visiting Mumbai's Chabad House.

In recent weeks, Norma paid several visits to the Jewish Agency office in Mumbai. The two employees manning the office handle requests of Jews in India who wish to make aliyah or participate in the Jewish Agency's various programs. Approximately 4,500 Jews live in India, 85% of them in the Mumbai area.

The Jewish Agency also handles matters relating to the Bnei Menashe community, numbering 7,200, who are living in north-eastern India and wish to make aliyah.

Yesterday the Jewish Agency decided to provide support for the families of those killed in the Mumbai attack from the Fund for the Victims of Terror. Support will be transferred immediately to families of the Jews and Israelis killed in the attack. The Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Zeev Bielski, says that these funds, raised by the United Jewish Communities, Jewish Federations and Keren Hayesod, are intended to express the mutual responsibility of the Jewish People as well as the Jewish Agency's support of Jews who fall victim to terror attacks aimed at Israeli targets.

The Fund was set up in the year 2000 and since then has provided support to thousands of victims of terror attacks and their families totaling more than 100 million shekels. The Jewish Agency has transferred funds to victims of terror attacks which took place in Israel as well as to families of Jews who suffered in terror attacks aimed at Israeli targets around the world.