Chabad orders Kathmandu emissary not to light Independence Day torch

Chabad has instructed its emissary in Kathmandu, Nepal, Hani Lipshitz, not to light a torch on Independence Day.

Lipshitz was named April 12 as one of the torch-lighters at Israel’s annual Independence Day ceremony in Jerusalem for her “concern for others, warm hospitality and love of the Jewish People that characterize the holy work of Chabad Houses around the world.”

Lipshitz, who has been running the Chabad House in Kathmandu since opening it 20 years ago, says on Facebook that decision was not “in my hands.”

She adds that she regretfully had to inform Culture Minister Miri Regev that she would be unable to be a torch-lighter and thanks Regev for seeing the Chabad House as part of “the glue that brings the Jewish People together from all corners and communities.”