When spiritual blessings saved Anjuna Chabad house better than armed forces could

The Israelis in Goa feel blessed that the outreach centre at Anjuna was left untouched by the terror groups even after terrorist-turned-approver David Coleman Headley recceed the area to launch a deadly attack in 2009-10. 

It’s not police protection but a strong spiritual belief has shielded the place from being on the hit list of terrorist organizations. After the sensational revelation in the deposition this month in which Headley spoke of carrying out a recee of important installations including the Chabad House at Anjuna, the Goa Police soon deployed 24X7 armed police security at the two prayer houses at Anjuna and Palolem. 

But the Jews feel that in addition to police protection, spiritual protection has often come to their rescue. “I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel endangered,” is how Mendy Myers, a young Israeli Jew in his late 20s, expressed. 

“When they (terrorists) came to scout (Anjuna) as a targeted place and did not chose to do so… it doesn’t mean we are 100 percent safe but I believe besides the police, we were guarded by the Almighty as every Jewish house has special protection from him,” he said. 

Myers, born and brought up in a Chabad House at Slovakia, has along with his compatriot Levi Notik taken charge of the Chabad House at Anjuna. The community follows the pattern of holding the responsibility of the House on rotation basis. The duo lives in the centre and are joined by their compatriots once a week for prayers and meals. 

After a brief conversation at the verandah, the Israelis took us to the House showing a rolled ‘mezuzah’ hanging at the doorpost. This, they pointed out, contains verses from the Bible. “Not only physical security measures but spiritual power also protects the House from evils. The combination of the two will keep us safe in future too,” Myers commented as he also explained the importance of conducting prayer in a particular manner and tying the prayer object from forehead to one of the hands. As Myers folded back the prayer belongings in its respective covers, he revealed that before the police security, there was no system of screening the visitors. 

“It’s difficult to filter who comes here because it is an open House for all who wants to pray and have food. Now we have police to track every person coming in,” he said. 

Anjuna police had rushed to the Chabad House with newspaper clips that had Headley’s revelation about threat to the Anjuna House while assuring them water-tight protection. “They are our visitors and we cannot take a chance… We have responsibility to give them security,” PI Paresh Naik said referring to Headley’s deposition. 

“Majority Israelis in Goa are Jews. There are exceptions though as once we had an Australian family here,” he said while clarifying that they can easily detect their fellow citizens. “The difference in culture, tradition and fluency in Hebrew are some factors that help us who are Israelis.”

Also equated to Dhamashala, this Chabad House behind St Anthony’s Chapel was recently shifted from its earlier location in Anjuna. The Israelis are contented that it is also considered as a tourist attraction for many. “We have had plenty visitors curious to know what a Chabad House is like, and our way of living here.  

The security will be withdrawn mid-March as the House will remain closed during the off-season. For now, it remains under protection from both – Almighty and Police.