Rabbi Tzvi Rivkin, Director of Chabad in Bangalore, India needed to travel for a quick visit in New York. Since then, 3 weeks later, he is unable to return home due to the deadly rise in Covid cases in India.
India reported its highest daily death toll — 4,187 people — on Saturday, weeks into the world’s worst wave of coronavirus cases that’s leaving people without lifesaving hospital beds, oxygen and drugs, NPR reported.
India managed to see cases decline over the winter, NPR said. But by late March, a second wave swelled and now is ripping relentlessly through the country, with around 400,000 new cases and more than 3,500 deaths reported every day.
“I left India and thought that I will be right back with my wife is a after giving birth and our 6 little ones waiting for me at home,” Rabbi Rivkin told Ynet news.
Instead, his wife Mrs. Noa Rivkin who have birth a month and a half ago remains alone at home caring for her children.
“My brave and heroic wife is managing with 6 children at home alone without any help because of the situation,” the rabbi said. “I have no way to return to India. I’m stuck in the USA.”
In an interview, Mrs. Rivkin sounded defiant. “We try to find meaning in the challenge,” she said. “We’re staying at home and doing all the shopping online.”
Rabbi Rivkin says he is pained to remain behind. “My heart wants to return to home and family in such a difficult time,” he said.
There are aleady 12 years on Shlichus there, serving tens of Jewish local families as well as many visitors for business and tourism. They Shlichus was encouraged by Rabbi Gabi and Rivki Holtzberg, the Shluchim in Mumbai who were killed in a terror attack on their Chabad center.
“We are remaining here,” said Mrs. Rivkin. “This is the Shlichus that the Lubavitcher Rebbe taught us – that you don’t leave because of hardships. It’s not easy and there are challengenes and difficulties but thee moment you find meaning in the activities, it helps you cope.”
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Tzvi, we are concerned with your situation. it must be so hard. give our best to Noa and children. may we hear good news. She is very strong and brave. a real shlucha. It is so horrendous whats has happening India, hopefully, Israel is there right in the front offering care. that’s our nature. May all the doors open up soon, literally and spiritually. Chana Schoenberg and family.
And Mazal tov for the new baby, Nechama Dina Hendel