VESTAL, N.Y. -- Akiev Samson was one of several dozen Chabad House congregates at a memorial service for Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka, both of whom lost their lives in the Mumbai attacks.

Samson grew up near Mumbai, but now studies in Binghamton. He's one of about 4,000 members of the Jewish faith from India and he's just thankful that his loss wasn't too personal.

"Lots of my friends have been at that place and God bless, that's not the case. My friends are all safe., Samson said.

Rabbi Aaron Slonim wasn't so lucky. He knew the Holtzberg family and helped organize Tuesday's service.

"The only way we can answer for this kind of action is to come together to strengthen each other to pray to sing and to pledge," said Rabbi Slonim, executive director of Binghamton's Chabad House.

While this was obviously a difficult tragedy for the Jewish community, those of other faiths and backgrounds felt it with equal weight as well.

"I was upset. We all are human beings. We're not supposed to do anything to hurt anybody. Inside, the blood is the same," said Shakeer Ansari, owner of the Taj Restaurant in Binghamton and an Indian-American Muslim

But the attacks have emphasized divides between Muslims and Hindus and Pakistan and India. Still, some hope there might be a silver lining amongst the bloodshed.

"My hope is that this will enable those two countries (India and Pakistan) to seek a more lasting and peaceful solution in the conflict in Kashmir and also increase cultural and economic ties," said Maneesha Lal, a professor of Asian and Asian-American studies at Binghamton University.

At the memorial service, congregates lit candles and offered prayers and also hoped to find the good from this tragedy. And as Rabbi Slonim told reporters, hopefully next time we'll meet for a happier occasion.

Several other memorial services for the Chabad victims in Mumbai have been held throughout the country. Investigators are still trying to determine exactly who's responsible for the attacks.