By COLlive reporter
Tens of people gathered this past Shabbos at Habad Loubavitch of Nice Côte d’Azur, the Chabad synagogue on Rue Rossini led by Shliach Rabbi Yossef Yitzchok Pinson.
For many of the Jewish residents and tourists, the annual Bastille Day street march on Thursday was a celebration not to be missed.
“A group of girls from our Gan Israel summer camp went outside that evening to watch the fireworks in the sky,” Rabbi Pinson told congregants.
They were standing on the seafront promenade, in the same spot where ISIS-influenced terrorist Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel began plowing his truck into the crowd, killing 80 people.
“One of the girls offered the group to cross to the other side of the street and by this, saved their lives,” the rabbi said.
“Moments later they heard people screaming and crying and they started running as well. They saw the horror of people being thrown into the air and blood on the street.
“They escaped to one of the restaurants and police forces asked them to stay there for a few hours after the attack,” the rabbi continued. “We were very worried as we didn’t know their whereabouts.”
Rabbi Pinson managed to get to the scene and bring the girls to the hospital to receive psychological treatment for the trauma they experienced.
VIDEO: Witnesses tell of the attack in Nice
At the Chabad shul on Shabbos, congregants were visibly shaken from the events. A few were heard reciting the thanksgiving prayer of Hagomel with great fervor.
Yenta Appel, a resident of Jerusalem visiting France, told Tamar Shavek, a reporter for Israel’s daily Yedioth Aharonot: “I am afraid of going back to the hotel.”
“I live near the market (Machne Yehuda) in Jerusalem. I already experienced terror attacks in Israel, but by us someone quickly takes on the terrorist. How is it that the attacker here managed to drive such a distance and kill so many people?” Appel wondered.
After davening, Rabbi Pinson asked the people gathered to stay longer for Kiddush and a farbrengen to strengthen their spirits.
“We must do everything to protect ourselves but remember that only Hashem will save us,” he told them. There is no reason to be afraid. We should not be confined and not be defeated by fear.”
Rabbi Pinson added that he plans to expand the Mitzva campaign in the city to encourage Jews to protect their home with a kosher Mezuza and put on Tefillin. “This will strengthen the security in Nice and around the world,” he said.
VIDEO: How the Attack in Nice Unfolded (includes graphic images)
How is it that the attacker here managed to drive such a distance and kill so many people?” Appel wondered.
Because in France, & other locations, the government-people want to be ‘politically correct.’ There is a large number of Muslims in France and a large percentage of N. Africans are in the police & security forces. ‘Muslim’s are kind hearted & peaceful.’
wow, wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!