Sandra Samuel...A Hero From Mumbai

As things get untangled after the attacks, I'm sure we'll start to hear stories of courage and bravery amidst the evil. However it's hard to imagine any will be more moving than the story of Sandra Samuel. She was the nanny of 2-year-old Moshe'le Holtzberg, the child of two of the Israeli victims at Chabad House.

The Holtzbergs were blessed with such a selfless, brave and heroic caretaker. There is no question that if it were not for the actions of Sandra Samuel, Moshe's nanny, he would not have survived the ordeal. Sandra was on the bottom floor of the Chabad House when the terrorists stormed in. She barricaded herself while she cowered from the shootings and bombings happening above her head. She did not dare leave her hiding spot until the next day, when the attacks seemed to have stopped. It was only then that she heard little Moshe crying.

She easily could have ran out, saving herself. It would have been understandable. After all, the terrorists didn't know that anyone was left inside alive. If they heard the crying, they would come back in to finish the job. It would have made most sense for her to get out of there as quickly as possible. But she didn't. She couldn't. Little Moshe was calling her name.

Sandra left her barricaded room and went upstairs for Moshe. She found him, next to his parents and soaked in their blood. She grabbed him and ran.

The baby is with his grandparents in Israel and they are apparently trying to get Sandra a visa to join him there. I'm guessing she'll be something of a national hero in Israel when she gets there and deservedly so.

(h/t: A friend who has no idea I post at this blog)

posted by DrewM. at 05:02 PM

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