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Vancouver - Jewish Man From Canada Describes How He Escaped Mumbai Attack [video] |
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Jonathan Ehrlich
Jonathan Ehrlich, who arrived at the Vancouver airport Thursday night, said he came close to becoming a hostage at the Oberoi Hotel, where he was staying on a business trip.
Two business friends invited him for a drink at the hotel bar, but he declined because he was tired and had an early flight to catch. His two friends ended up being taken by the gunmen.
"They [gunmen] shot a bunch of people, grabbed Alex and this gentleman … and started marching them up to the roof," said Ehrlich, whose friend Alex told him Thursday morning what happened.
Ehrlich said the attackers apparently seized guests' records from the hotel and then went room to room searching for Westerners.
Someone knocked on his room door at about 10:30 p.m., then rang the door bell, but Ehrlich did not open the door.
"Two minutes later, there was a massive explosion. The whole hotel shook, and I knew something was wrong," said Ehrlich, a father of four, who works in the internet technology industry and has a business in Mumbai.
"I ran out into the hallway … I heard the word bomb. Then adrenalin just kicked in overdrive. I went in, threw my stuff together and picked up my bags, ran down the stairs [and] went into the lobby area."
There were no staff or police in the lobby, only perplexed guests standing around, not knowing what to do, he said.
"It's not a good scene. There was glass everywhere, blood and stuff. I took a couple of steps in and realized it was not the way to go, so then I went back in [the lobby] and people were still standing around. I just said, 'We got to get out of here!' so I started running towards the exit."
Ehrlich ran out into the alleyway and heard police yelling "Run!"
"I started screaming 'airport, airport' and one of the guys from the hotel grabbed me and my bags and threw me in a cab and took me to the airport."
Ehrlich describes himself as "the luckiest guy on Earth" to have made his way home safely.
Ehrlich chocked up in tears while interviewed on CNN, and mentioned the fact that he is Jewish and said he was very saddened by the death of the people that where held in the Chabad center, " we Jews are strong we will overcome this" he said.
Total12
Read Comments (12) — Post Yours »
1
Nov 29, 2008 at 12:17 PM yossel Says:
go make a big kidush in your shul
2
Nov 29, 2008 at 06:14 PM Anonymous Says:
We should hope that this guy becomes frum and realizes that there is a go-d.
The mans story is a miracle.
3
Nov 29, 2008 at 06:45 PM Anonymous Says:
“ We should hope that this guy becomes frum and realizes that there is a go-d.
The mans story is a miracle. ”
What makes you think that he doesn't believe in G-d?
Even a tragedy like this doesn't stop some Jews from judging others!!!!!!
4
Nov 29, 2008 at 07:09 PM Anonymous Says:
I watched this interview live on CNN on friday. He reiterated throughout the interview that "thank g-d" he's alive.
5
Nov 29, 2008 at 09:35 PM Anonymous Says:
“ We should hope that this guy becomes frum and realizes that there is a go-d.
The mans story is a miracle. ”
How do you know he is not. Why do you look for the negative?
6
Nov 29, 2008 at 09:58 PM Yossi Says:
“ How do you know he is not. Why do you look for the negative? ”
Somehow he just doesn't look heimesh to me
7
Nov 29, 2008 at 10:34 PM Anonymous Says:
“ Somehow he just doesn't look heimesh to me ”
what the heck does heimish mean?!?!!?
do you need to wear a black hat and peyos do be jewish?
get a life
this guy had a lot of zechusim to have been saved from this!
8
Nov 29, 2008 at 10:58 PM Chassidishe Veibel in Boro Park Says:
“ Somehow he just doesn't look heimesh to me ”
i can't believe you could write something (and think) like this. oh my! not a good thing.
9
Nov 29, 2008 at 11:48 PM Use Your Head Says:
“ We should hope that this guy becomes frum and realizes that there is a go-d.
The mans story is a miracle. ”
Actually, I hope you become less judgmental of other people. That's what I hope.
10
Nov 29, 2008 at 11:46 PM Just a Yid Says:
Reply to # 8 The problem is there's no Achdus from Ahchanu Benai Yisroel , in which they think just because he does not wear a Yarmulke, you are not from our people & thats Wrong & therefore there are so many Tzurus (pain & agony) on Klal Yisroel . There's one thing that us Jews can correct thi, is by Be Makeruv Jews from all types & then we will see the YESHOUA . Lets hope & pray to Hashem , that it should be Di L'chol Tzurotzanu & we should be zochai To meshiach Tzitkainu
11
Nov 30, 2008 at 12:40 AM ah yiddishe neshuma Says:
att. to all we are all one, it does not matter what we look like on the outside
we all feel the pain when a yid gets hurt. that should be telling enough that we
are all one klall. moshiach now!!!!!!
12
Nov 30, 2008 at 03:08 PM Anonymous Says:
#10 why do we have to "mekarev" this person? By saying this you are showing that there is no achdus (unity). If you really believe in the achdus of b'nei yisrael then don't be judgemental and let jews be who they are.