Transcript [00:38] [clears throat] [00:45] Once again, ladies and gentlemen, we [00:47] like to ask you to please find your [00:48] seats. [00:57] Good evening, Ertov. [01:01] Shalom. [01:03] My name is Michael Harpaz and on behalf [01:05] of the Jewish National Fund USA, the [01:07] United States Embassy in Israel and [01:10] Kermit is Jewish National Fund, it is my [01:14] true honor to welcome you all to the [01:16] September 11th living memorial here in [01:20] Yushalai. [01:23] Before we continue, in the event of an [01:24] emergency siren and in accordance with [01:27] homeront command instructions, please [01:29] remain seated and follow the directions [01:31] of the security personnel. [01:33] And again, we kindly ask that you [01:35] silence your cell phones. This evening [01:37] ceremony will be streamed worldwide. [01:49] Now, ladies and gentlemen, we ask that [01:50] you kindly rise for the presentation of [01:52] the colors by the United States Embassy [01:54] Marine Detachment, followed by the [01:56] singing of the Star Spangled Banner [01:58] performed by Mr. Paul Kroger, a United [02:01] States diplomat and an opera singer, [02:03] accompanied by the Israel Police [02:06] Orchestra. At the conclusion of the [02:08] anthem, we ask that you remain standing [02:10] for a moment of silence in memory of the [02:12] 2,9 [02:15] 77 victims of the September 11th [02:18] terrorist attacks. [02:35] Ready [03:01] Hey, wait. [03:38] Oh, say can [music and singing] you see [03:43] By the dawn early [music] light, what so [03:47] proudly we held at the twilight last [03:53] gleaming, whose bright stripes and [03:56] [singing] bright stars through the [03:59] perilous [music] fight. For the ramparts [04:04] we watched were so gallently [04:09] streaming. [04:11] And the rocket red glare, the bombs [04:15] bursting in air [04:19] gave proof through the night that our [04:23] flag was still there. [04:27] Oh, say does that stars bangle ber yet [04:34] wave [04:37] for the land [04:40] of the free [04:44] and the home [04:46] of the [04:48] brave. [04:52] Please remain standing for a moment of [04:54] silence. [05:08] Thank you. You may be seated. [06:02] ladies and gentlemen, [06:05] this year we mark 25 years since the [06:09] attacks of September 11th, 2001. [06:14] This is the only memorial [06:16] outside of the United States where the [06:19] names of all of the 2,977 [06:24] victims are inscribed. Children, [06:26] mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, [06:30] friends, and colleagues from 92 nations [06:36] whose lives were taken in acts of [06:38] unspeakable terror. [06:41] 25 years later, we remember each of them [06:43] not simply as a name, but as a life, as [06:45] a story, and a person deeply loved. We [06:49] also honor the first responders, [06:52] the medical teams, the service members, [06:56] and ordinary citizens whose courage in [06:59] the face of catastrophe [07:01] continues to inspire us all. [07:05] This living memorial site was made [07:07] possible through the generosity of Mr. [07:09] Edward Blank and his family of New York [07:11] together with the Bron Gastavski Rabin [07:14] Winr Trust. It was designed and created [07:17] by architect Eel Cohen and artist Elza [07:20] Wisehoff and we are honored by Mr. [07:22] Wiveshoff's presence here today. [07:26] An actual real fragment from the Twin [07:28] Towers is held within the sculpture here [07:31] before us, while its flame rises skyward [07:35] in an upward symbol of Israel's [07:37] solidarity with the United States and of [07:40] the values that both people share. Here [07:44] memory becomes a living responsibility [07:46] to stand against hatred and terror to [07:49] protect human dignity and to choose [07:52] courage, solidarity, [07:55] and hope. [07:57] This evening, we are honored by the [07:59] presence of the families of the victims [08:02] and by many distinguished guests, [08:04] honored families of the fallen, His [08:07] Excellency, United States Ambassador to [08:09] Israel, Mr. Mike Huckabe and Mrs. Janet [08:12] Huckabe. [08:14] the world chairman of the Jewish [08:16] National Fund, [08:19] Mr. Ostrinski, CEO of Jewish National [08:22] Fund USA, Mr. Russell F. Robinson, [08:26] members of the diplomatic corps, Israel [08:28] Fire and Rescue Commissioner and Fire [08:31] Chief, Mr. Al Kaspi, Deputy Commissioner [08:34] of the Israel Police, Major General Ya [08:36] Katroni, [08:38] viewers joining us live stream from [08:40] around the world and all of you [08:43] distinguished guests. [08:46] Thank you each and every one of you for [08:49] joining us in this remembrance. And now, [08:52] as we commemorate the 25th anniversary [08:54] of September 11th, it is my honor to [08:56] invite [08:58] his excellency Mr. Mike Huckabe, [09:00] ambassador to the United States, to [09:02] Israel, Mr. Yalstrinsky, chairman of [09:04] KKLJNF, and Mr. Russell Robinson, CEO of [09:08] Jewish National Fund USA, to come [09:11] forward and jointly light the memorial [09:13] torch. [09:15] May this flame honor every life taken, [09:18] every family forever changed, and every [09:21] act of courage that answered darkness [09:24] with light. Following the torch lighting [09:26] ceremony will be honored to hear remarks [09:29] from Ambassador Huckabe. [10:03] Thank you very much. You may be seated. [10:11] Now, ladies and gentlemen, Ambassador [10:13] Huckabe, [10:18] thank all of you for being here. It's [10:21] hard for me to believe that it has been [10:23] 25 years since that day that shook the [10:27] world, but certainly shook the United [10:30] States in a way that nothing else ever [10:32] has in my lifetime. It changed the way [10:35] we lived. It reminded us that we were [10:38] vulnerable. It also reminded us of [10:41] something that gives us an understanding [10:43] of why this monument is here in Israel. [10:47] Because every enemy of Israel is an [10:50] enemy of the United States and every [10:52] enemy of the United States is an enemy [10:54] of Israel. And on that day, we became [10:58] aware that the battle was not only being [11:00] fought in this part of the world, but it [11:04] had been taken to our part of the world. [11:06] It was a wakeup call. It was also for me [11:09] something very personal in that for the [11:13] first time in my life, I saw a level of [11:17] respect for first responders, [11:20] particularly firefighters, that had [11:22] never ever been experienced before. That [11:25] meant something to me because my father [11:28] was a firefighter. I was a kid that grew [11:31] up around the fire station, sliding down [11:33] the pole, playing on the fire trucks. [11:36] But quite frankly, growing up, most [11:38] people didn't really think that much [11:40] about what firefighters did. But after [11:43] 911, when the world saw that when [11:46] everyone else was running out of the [11:48] building, the firefighters and first [11:51] responders were running into the [11:52] building, many of them losing their [11:55] lives that day, saving others. [11:58] And I only wish my own father had lived [12:00] to see the level of respect that [12:02] firefighters had gained on that day. We [12:06] pay tribute to all the first responders [12:09] around the world and those who are here [12:10] today. [12:12] Those who serve in this country who also [12:16] rush into danger when others are rushing [12:19] away from it. [12:21] There was a gentleman, his name is Rick [12:24] Rcora. [12:26] He was a Vietnam veteran. If you ever [12:29] saw the movie We Were Soldiers or read [12:32] the book, We Were Soldiers Once and [12:34] Young, if you saw the book, it was his [12:38] image on the cover of the book. He was [12:42] part of Colonel Hal Moore's very special [12:45] group of soldiers who were a part in [12:48] 1965 of the attack in Lrang. [12:53] When Rick Rascora retired, he became the [12:55] director of security for Morgan Stanley [12:57] in New York. [12:59] They had 22 floors [13:02] in the south tower of the World Trade [13:05] Center. [13:08] On that uh day back in 1990, [13:13] Rick Rcarla [13:14] decided that there was vulnerability in [13:16] the World Trade Tower. [13:19] He did his best to convince people that [13:21] there should be different levels of [13:23] security, particularly in the basement. [13:26] He believed that it was possible that [13:29] explosives could be put in the basement [13:31] that could bring down the tower. Very [13:34] few people listened to him. Three years [13:36] later in 1993, that's exactly what [13:39] happened. A truck with explosives. Had [13:41] it been 30 feet in a different location [13:44] by the most [13:46] significant support, the tower could [13:49] have come down. Then after that, you [13:52] would think that people would have [13:53] listened to Rick Rcora, but they didn't. [13:56] He later decided that the great [13:58] vulnerability of the tower would be that [14:00] someone would fly an airplane into it. [14:03] He did everything he could to convince [14:05] the people in his company that they [14:07] needed to prepare. [14:10] They humored him and every three months [14:12] they allowed him to conduct a drill of [14:15] taking 2700 employees of Morgan Stanley [14:19] down the steps into safety just in case [14:24] his worst nightmare ever would happen. [14:27] On September 11th, 2001, [14:31] at 8:46 in the morning, a plane hit the [14:35] North Tower. I think all of us remember [14:38] exactly where we were. The first reports [14:41] were, "Surely it is an accident, even [14:43] though for a plane to fly directly into [14:46] a building on a blue sky day seemed [14:48] improbable." [14:50] And then at 9:03 in the morning, the [14:53] second plane hit the South Tower. When [14:56] the first plane hit the North Tower, [15:00] the Port Authority in New York said [15:03] everyone in the South Tower should stay [15:05] in their seats, remain at their desk, [15:08] and do not move. Rick Wascora ignored [15:12] that advice. He instead got on the [15:14] bullhorn. He initiated that drill that [15:17] he had been doing for every year, every [15:19] three months, [15:21] and he began to escort 2700 [15:25] Morgan Stanley employees down the stairs [15:29] to safety. [15:31] When we think about the fact that there [15:32] were 2900 plus people who were killed on [15:36] that day, some of whom in Shanksville, [15:39] Pennsylvania, some in Washington, but [15:41] most of them in New York. Imagine that. [15:44] That number would have all but been [15:46] doubled had Rick Rcora not taken control [15:50] of the situation and with his bullhorn [15:53] escorted people two by two down 44 [15:56] flights of stairs to safety. After he [16:00] got all of his employees there, he felt [16:03] the need to go back into the building to [16:06] make sure nobody was left. He went back [16:09] into the South Tower. [16:12] At 9:59 that morning, the South Tower [16:16] collapsed. We all remember seeing it. [16:20] One of the most horrifying scenes I [16:23] think that we will ever witness. [16:26] The last anyone saw Rick Rcora was on [16:29] the 10th floor in the South Tower as he [16:31] was going back up to see if there was [16:34] anyone else that he could save. All of [16:37] his employees, save 13, made it out that [16:40] day. Rick Riscorla did not. They never [16:44] found any of his remains to this day. [16:50] But he will never be forgotten. And we [16:53] should never forget those who gave their [16:55] lives that day. Not just the innocent [16:59] who were at their desk simply going to [17:01] work murdered by jihadist who would have [17:06] killed everyone in both buildings and [17:08] everyone in New York and the rest of the [17:10] world if they could. But we need to [17:12] remember there were others who could [17:14] have spared themselves but who did not. [17:18] Who took the opportunity in order to [17:20] save the lives of others, risk their [17:23] lives and many of them on that day they [17:26] lost their lives. We come tonight to pay [17:30] tribute to their sacrifice. [17:33] But we also come [17:35] to remind ourselves to be vigilant for [17:38] the danger is not over. The danger lives [17:42] with us every single day. [17:46] And we have no idea just how many times [17:50] various schemes to murder innocent [17:53] civilians are thwarted by good [17:56] intelligence and the hard work of people [17:59] like many that are seated among us. But [18:02] I hope that we will never forget this. [18:05] We live in a world where danger exists [18:08] because evil exists. And we should never [18:11] let our guard down, but we should never [18:14] ever forget God's grace and his hand of [18:18] blessing. Tonight, I come to say, may [18:22] God continue to keep his hand of [18:25] blessing upon the incredible partnership [18:28] between the state of Israel and the [18:30] United States of Israel. I'm grateful to [18:33] the people of Israel for such a monument [18:37] that reminds them and us that we have a [18:41] relationship [18:42] that though miles may separate us, our [18:46] bond is spiritual. Our bond comes from [18:50] above. [18:51] and our values, [18:53] our vision, and what we stand for is why [18:57] tonight the United States and the state [19:00] of Israel remain a strong and [19:04] unbreakable [19:06] partnership. [19:14] Thank you, Ambassador Huckabe, for your [19:16] words and for being with us this [19:17] evening. [19:19] It is now my pleasure to invite Mr. [19:21] Ayalrinsky the world chairman of Kan is [19:25] Jewish National Fund to deliver his [19:27] remarks [19:39] his excellency honorable ambassador Mike [19:42] Akabi dear Rafel [19:45] and all distinguished guests it's a it's [19:48] an honor to be standing here in front of [19:51] you in a day like this. [19:54] 25 years ago today, the world has [19:58] changed forever. [19:59] On September 11th, 2001, [20:03] 2,977 [20:05] innocent lives were brutally taken in an [20:09] act of almost unmatched cruelty and [20:12] terror. [20:13] Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, and [20:16] friends. Their dreams cut short, leaving [20:20] behind an unbearable void. [20:24] We remember today the nearly 3,000 souls [20:28] we lost. We honor the extraordinary [20:32] heroism of the first responders, [20:35] the firefighters, police officers, the [20:39] medical personnel, and just like [20:41] Ambassador Hakabe has said, ordinary [20:43] people who did the unthinkable thing, [20:47] almost unnatural, [20:49] and instead of running away from the [20:52] fire, from the collapsing buildings, [20:54] from the danger, they ran straight into [20:58] the fire, the collapsing buildings and [21:01] the danger in an act of solidarity and [21:05] courage that you almost don't see [21:07] anywhere happen. And I think [21:12] that today we honor them and we also [21:16] stand in profound [21:19] of the families [21:21] who despite suffering unimag [21:24] unimaginable pain have carried their [21:27] loved one loved one memories with grace, [21:30] strength and resilience for almost for a [21:34] quarter of a century. Exactly a quarter [21:36] of a century [21:37] now. So it is no coincidence that is the [21:40] this memorial the only one outside the [21:42] United States listing the names of all [21:45] 2,977 [21:47] victims stand right here in the heart of [21:50] Jerusalem. [21:51] I for one can never forget the [21:56] and would never be and would never be [21:58] able to forget the exact moment it [22:01] happened. [22:02] 17 years old, I have been with my [22:05] friends coming back from a visit at [22:08] Israel's Yad Lebanim memorial site for [22:11] our fallen soldiers that day on a [22:14] preparation visit preparing us for our [22:17] visit to Poland and our 12th grade to [22:21] visit the extermination sites and camps [22:24] where the Holocaust has happened. [22:27] And I think that between our fallen [22:29] soldiers and the events of the Holocaust [22:32] and what happened on September 11th and [22:35] three years ago on October 7th, all of [22:39] those events symbolizes [22:41] the unbreakable bond that just like [22:44] Makby said, we share together Israel and [22:48] the United States. Both our countries [22:50] are a beacon of democracy and freedom of [22:54] pluralism and equality. Israel in the [22:57] Middle East and the United States in the [23:00] entire world. [23:02] And we don't we not only share the [23:04] values, but we also also share the fight [23:08] to preserve those values [23:11] against terror, against jihad, against [23:15] cruelty, against radicalism. [23:18] Just like on September 11th, [23:22] the brave Americans ran into the fire, [23:25] ran into the danger, on October 7th, [23:29] Israeli citizens, soldiers, reserveists, [23:32] ordinary people from the north and the [23:35] south, [snorts] [23:36] in the center of Israel, [23:38] left everything behind and ran [23:42] into the Gaza envelope communities [23:45] to save lives, endangering themselves. [23:49] in an act of solidarity and courage that [23:53] only our countries understand as deep as [23:56] we understand it. And I'm proud that we [23:58] have here Mayor Mikallo, the mayor of [24:01] the regional council skull [24:04] which 10 of its communities were [24:06] infiltrated, killed, kidnapped. [24:11] and you coming here to stand with our [24:16] American friends show this unbreakable [24:18] bond like I [clears throat] think nobody [24:22] nobody else can show. [24:25] And I want in order to finish to say [24:29] that [24:31] through our enduring partnership with [24:33] JNFUSA and the and the US embassy, we've [24:37] built this century to ensure that the [24:40] memory of every single victim endures [24:42] forever. [24:43] As the twin beams of light rise into the [24:47] Jerusalem sky, night sky, I'm sorry, [24:50] later this evening, they serve as a [24:52] message to the world. Light will always [24:55] pierce the darkness and hope will always [24:58] overcome despair. And both our nations [25:02] understand it better than anybody else. [25:05] to our American brothers and sisters, [25:08] just like you stood with us [25:11] in 1945 and before. Just like you stood [25:15] with us in our wars, just like you stood [25:19] with us after October 7th, we stand with [25:23] you today [25:25] and we will always stand beside you [25:28] and we will always be in our hearts. [25:30] Thank you very much. [25:45] Thank you very much, Mr. Ostrinsky, for [25:48] your words. And now, it is my pleasure [25:49] to welcome Mr. Russell Robinson, CEO of [25:53] Jewish National Fund USA, to share his [25:55] remarks with us this evening. [26:06] 25 years ago, [26:09] America, Israel, and 92 nations [26:14] lost almost 3,000 souls. [26:18] Today, we stand here, but I cannot help [26:21] but think about the families whose lives [26:26] were changed forever. [26:29] Mothers and fathers who never came home. [26:44] Sons and daughters whose futures were [26:48] stolen. Children who never grew grew up [26:51] not knowing anything about their [26:54] families except through stories and [26:56] photographs. [26:59] The youngest [27:01] who lost her life on September 11th was [27:03] Christine Lee Hansen. She was just two [27:07] and a half years old. [27:10] She was traveling with her parents on [27:12] the way to Disneyland. [27:15] The oldest was Robert Norton. [27:19] He was 85 who was traveling with his [27:22] wife to his son's wedding. [27:26] Christine and Robert were not soldiers. [27:31] They were you and they were me. And we [27:35] gather to remember them. Yet we will [27:37] also gather to ensure that their lives [27:40] continue to matter and that their names [27:43] are never forgotten. [27:46] This memorial here in the hills of [27:48] Jerusaleam [27:50] is our promise that we will never never [27:53] ever for be forgotten. [27:55] This memorial was not established or [27:57] born out of revenge. [28:00] It was built from a belief in shared [28:02] values. [28:04] And there is something deeply moving [28:07] standing here in Israel in the footsteps [28:09] of Yaleam and seeing the names of every [28:12] victim of 911 engraved in the only [28:15] memorials you've heard outside of the [28:16] United States which honors those who [28:19] perished. [28:21] It reminds us that grief knows no [28:24] borders, [28:25] but neither does compassion. It reminds [28:28] us that power [28:30] of good over evil always wins. Of life, [28:34] love and compassion [28:36] always beat hate. On that terrible day, [28:40] it wasn't just America who was attacked. [28:42] Democracy everywhere around the world [28:44] was attacked. The pain was felt around [28:47] the world by all of us who believe in [28:49] life, who believe in life over hate. [28:53] Here thousands of miles away [28:56] from all of us, Jewish National Fund USA [28:59] says to all the families, "Your loss is [29:03] our loss. Your memories are our memories [29:07] and your loved ones will always always [29:09] be remembered." [29:12] Because this memorial is more than [29:14] bronze and stone. It is more than just a [29:17] remembrance of life. It is a living [29:20] testament [29:22] of our human spirit. At its base, as you [29:25] heard rest, a piece of steel from the [29:28] twin tower. [29:32] But it shows that over destruction, [29:35] surrounded by that one piece of steel, [29:38] we're surrounded by life, [29:41] by trees, by family, and by hope. This [29:45] memorial teaches us evil [29:49] can destroy buildings yet it can never [29:52] destroy the values of the people [29:56] taken from us. Our determination is [29:59] always to build again and we believe [30:03] that together that belief United States [30:06] and Israel binds us all because we [30:09] believe in life. [30:11] We believe in life. [30:13] This memorial represents the vision and [30:15] the work of Jewish National Fund and the [30:17] Karen Cayam Israel because we believe [30:20] that memory is must be transformed into [30:23] purpose. [30:25] We plant trees not simply for ourselves [30:27] but for generations that we will never [30:30] meet. Trees whose branches will give [30:33] shade to generations yet unborn. We [30:36] build communities in rebuilding the [30:38] north and south of Israel. We turn areas [30:41] once known for the sounds of war [30:44] into the sounds of children playing. [30:48] Not simply for today, but for the future [30:51] of the land of Israel and for the Jewish [30:53] people everywhere. Because we will never [30:55] never let evil or terrorism destroy our [30:58] beliefs. [31:01] This is the beauty and true meaning of [31:03] our Zionist mo movement. This is what [31:06] connects us America and Israel. And this [31:08] is why we have students here from across [31:11] the United States at our Mus High School [31:12] in Israel. Teenagers who have come here [31:15] to spend a semester here in Israel, not [31:18] only to learn the facts about Abraham [31:21] Herzel and Bengurian, but to inherit the [31:25] legacy of turning dreams into reality [31:28] and darkness into light. [31:33] That is hope [31:35] and that is more powerful than [31:37] terrorism. [31:39] When you leave here today, I want you to [31:42] leave with more than just a remembrance. [31:44] Leave with the gratitude for those you [31:47] love. Appreciate the freedoms of all [31:50] that you get to enjoy and renewed [31:53] commitment to building building a better [31:56] world. Because the greatest tribute that [32:00] we can offer to those lives that were [32:02] lost [32:04] is that we must live. [32:07] And we must live a life of meaning and [32:09] purpose and stand up and lead to turn [32:14] on the lights of hope and dreams. [32:20] May their memories always be a blessing. [32:24] May this memorial forever stand as a [32:26] symbol of unity between Israel and the [32:28] United States. [32:30] And we may we continue to choose hope [32:32] over fear, life over destruction, future [32:35] over despair. Believe in life. We [32:39] believe in life. [32:42] Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in [32:44] welcoming from the Israel Defense [32:46] Forces, the only army in the world with [32:50] soldiers with special needs, the Jewish [32:53] National Funds, special in uniform, [32:56] singing bridge over troubled waters. [33:22] When [music and singing] you're weery, [33:26] feeling small. [singing] [33:31] When tears are in [33:34] your eyes, [33:37] I will rise [music] up. [33:41] >> I'm on your side. [33:46] When times get [singing and music] [33:50] >> and friends just can't be bound [33:56] like a bridge over troubled water. [34:03] I [music] will lay [singing] me down. [34:06] Like a rage over troubled [34:10] [singing and music] [34:11] water. [34:13] I will lay me down. [34:16] [singing] [34:24] When you're down and down. [34:28] When you're on the street. [34:31] [music and singing] [34:33] When evening falls [34:36] so hard, [34:39] I will comfort you. [34:43] >> [music and singing] [34:43] >> I open your heart [34:48] when darkness [34:53] and pain is [singing] [34:55] all [34:57] around. [music] [34:59] Like a bridge [singing] over trouble [35:04] water, [music] [35:05] I will lay me down. [35:09] Like [singing] [35:09] a bridge [music] over trouble water, [35:15] I will lay me down. [35:21] Say long sail [35:26] [singing] [35:27] by. [music] [35:30] >> Your time has come [35:34] to shine. [35:36] And all your [singing] dreams are all [35:39] the way. [music] [35:42] >> They shine. [35:46] You need a friend. [music] [35:50] I'm sailing [singing] [35:52] right behind [35:56] like [singing] a great over troubled [36:01] water. [36:03] I will leave [singing and music] your [36:05] mind [36:06] like a great over troubled water. [36:13] I will live your life. [36:22] Oh, [36:42] good evening. [36:44] My name is Rabbi Gideon Schlush. I'm the [36:47] director of the department of community [36:49] relations at Karen Kamat Lisel Jewish [36:52] National Fund. [36:54] 25 years ago on September 11th, I was [36:59] there. I was the rabbi of a beautiful [37:03] congregation in Midtown Manhattan. [37:06] And I witnessed that day with my own [37:08] eyes. [37:10] I carry its memory with me. [37:13] I can still remember [37:15] the bellows of smoke [37:18] and acurid smell that filled the city. [37:22] Fire engines racing toward ground zero, [37:27] straight down Second Avenue. [37:30] People [37:32] covered in ash, walking like zombies in [37:36] disbelief at what they had just [37:39] experienced. [37:40] There were flyers everywhere bearing [37:43] photographs of loved ones who were [37:46] missing. [37:47] I recall being at the local armory [37:50] seeing the desperation on the faces of [37:53] family members as they sought their [37:56] loved ones. We have a firehouse down the [38:00] block from our synagogue. [38:02] Every firefighter from our local [38:04] firehouse lost his life on that day. [38:09] Tonight, [38:11] as Jews have done for generations, in [38:14] moments of sorrow and uncertainty, [38:18] we turn to the timeless words of King [38:20] David in Psalm 23. [38:26] The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not [38:28] want. He makes me lie down in green [38:32] pastures. He leads me beside still [38:35] waters. He restores my soul. [38:38] He leads me in paths of righteousness [38:41] for his name's sake. And even though I [38:44] walk through the valley of the shadow of [38:46] death, I will fear no evil, for you are [38:49] with me. Your rod and your staff, they [38:53] comfort me. [38:55] You prepare a table before me in the [38:57] presence of my enemies. You anoint my [39:00] head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely [39:04] goodness and mercy shall follow me all [39:07] the days of my life and I shall dwell in [39:10] the house of the Lord for the length of [39:12] days. [39:15] Let us say amen. [39:24] >> Amen. [39:31] For 25 years, the consequences of [39:33] September 11th have continued to be felt [39:36] by the first responders and lower [39:38] Manhattan residents who were exposed to [39:41] toxic materials in the aftermaths of the [39:44] attacks. [snorts] [39:46] Our next speaker is Professor Mark [39:49] Wilinfeld. [39:51] He's a doctor, an American Israeli [39:53] physician living in Jerusalem and a [39:55] faculty member at Hadasa and NYU. [39:58] [snorts] For 25 years, he has carried he [40:01] has cared for 911 first responders and [40:04] has served on the Federal Scientific [40:05] Panel advising the World Trade Center [40:08] Health Program for responders and lower [40:10] Manhattan residents sickened by toxic [40:12] exposure. He's also a longtime resident [40:15] of lower Manhattan himself. Would you [40:18] all please welcome Professor Mark [40:20] Wilkinfield. [40:30] Thank you. [40:33] I grew up in lower Manhattan and when I [40:35] was a kid, I would sit on the terrace [40:39] and I would watch as they built the [40:41] towers. It was like building a castle. [40:44] Years later, hearing the news, I went to [40:47] check on my dad [40:49] and I sat on that same terrace [40:52] and I watched the towers collapse [40:55] in disbelief. [40:58] Like many others, I lost friends that [41:01] day and I was just showing my son their [41:04] names which are engraved here. [41:08] Like many physicians, [41:10] I spent time at ground zero where [41:12] unfortunately [41:14] there was no one to treat because in [41:16] that day either either you died or you [41:18] survived and walked away. People forget [41:21] that it was the largest evacuation in [41:24] American history with 50,000 survivors. [41:29] But what I saw haunts me till today is [41:33] like a scene of Hades [41:35] with destruction that cannot be [41:37] described. [41:38] In 25 years [41:41] makes me cry when I think about it. [41:44] The ambassador was very eloquent in [41:47] speaking about first responders. [41:50] I've seen many his patients. I've seen [41:53] thousands. It's not normal [41:56] to run into a fire when everyone else is [41:58] running out. [42:00] And today we remember not only those who [42:02] died, but those who ran toward the [42:04] danger. Firefighters, police officers, [42:07] EMTs, construction workers, and [42:09] countless others. [42:11] We also remember the residents and the [42:12] office workers of lower Manhattan, over [42:15] 400,000 of them, who endured an [42:18] unimaginable catastrophe. [42:22] But I'm here to tell you something [42:23] different. Not looking back. I'm here to [42:26] tell you that September 11th did not end [42:30] on September 11th. [42:32] For thousands of responders and [42:33] survivors, the exposure to toxic [42:35] environments at ground zero became the [42:37] beginning of years and decades of [42:39] illness. [42:41] More people have died as a result of [42:44] illness related to their toxic exposures [42:47] on 911 than died on that day. [42:52] Spent over 20 years evaluating and [42:54] caring for these patients. [42:56] I've witnessed their suffering. I've [42:58] witnessed patients with respiratory [43:00] disease, stomach disease, sinus disease, [43:04] cancer, [43:06] and PTSD. [43:08] More than 9,000 responders and survivors [43:11] have now died from 911 related illnesses [43:13] and the number continues to increase. [43:17] Today, more than 140,000 brave [43:19] responders and survivors are enrolled in [43:20] the World Trade Center health program. [43:23] They carry the consequences of their [43:24] services and their exposure with them [43:26] every day. After a tremendous struggle [43:29] which I can't even begin to describe, [43:31] they now receive free health care and [43:33] compensation through the program which [43:35] is authorized to provide care through [43:37] 2019. [43:40] And if you think it's about free health [43:41] care and compensation, you're wrong [43:45] because our studies have shown that a [43:47] patient with cancer treated by the [43:49] program has a higher survival rate than [43:52] a patient with that same cancer treated [43:54] outside the program. [43:56] The existence of the program is a [43:58] testament to the power of advocacy. [44:00] Responders, survivors, attorneys, and [44:02] physicians fought, taking countless [44:04] trips to Washington, DC to make sure [44:07] that those who deserved it were heard, [44:08] recognized, and care for. Their [44:11] persistence is what I saw, which [44:12] transformed the national tragedy into an [44:15] enduring commitment to those who [44:17] sacrificed so much. [44:20] The responders of September 11th were [44:21] heroes. They did not know what they were [44:24] being exposed to. Yet they went toward [44:26] the danger when others were running [44:27] away. Our responsibility today is to [44:30] stand with them and with the survivors [44:32] who continue to suffer the consequences. [44:36] 25 years after September 11th, New York [44:38] and Jerusalem stand together in [44:40] remembrance. Two cities, two [44:42] communities, two places that have [44:44] endured unimaginable acts of terrorism [44:46] and chosen to respond with courage and [44:48] compassion and resilience. [44:50] Remember those that we lost. We honor [44:52] those who served and we stand together [44:54] with those who continue to live with the [44:56] consequences. [44:58] 25 years later, the connection between [45:00] our cities remain strong. Thank you. [45:12] Thank you, Professor Wilkinfeld, for all [45:13] of your service and for sharing your [45:15] unique perspective with us this evening. [45:20] Ladies and gentlemen, joining us this [45:21] evening are family members of those who [45:23] were murdered in that horrific attack on [45:26] September 11th, 2001. [45:29] Their presence reminds us that behind [45:32] every name is a family whose loss [45:35] continues across generation. [45:47] We are honored to have with us Suri and [45:50] Kanok Morgan Stern who are visiting [45:52] Israel from Woodmir, New York and whose [45:55] daughter Nancy Morgan Stern of blessed [45:57] memory was killed on that day. Surin [46:01] Kanuk, would you please come forward and [46:03] share a few words with us? [46:21] We would like to thank first Miriam Bar [46:24] of JNFUSA [46:25] for inviting us to speak here today and [46:29] also to JNF and the US embassy for [46:33] organizing this event. [46:36] It is actually an honor to for us to be [46:39] here today as representatives of all the [46:42] nine of 911 families. Some of who I've [46:46] met and some who are here as well. I [46:49] would like to begin by reading from [46:51] Tahillim Perkv [46:54] which describes the qualities of a [46:56] person who merits a place in the world [46:59] to come. [47:02] If I can get through it. Ms. Mor [47:05] Davidcal [47:22] alono [47:24] laur [47:28] lasa al kurovo [47:31] nav [47:33] nimas usabir [47:41] kaspo lan bes [47:46] al- naki lak o lo emote leam [47:55] Nancy was a deeply religious and devoted [47:58] Jew a loving daughter sister and friend [48:03] She was devoted to her family and [48:06] brought tremendous joy, warmth, and [48:09] passion to everyone who knew her. This [48:12] was especially true of her love of [48:15] biking, which she shared with and [48:17] encouraged her friends to enjoy. She was [48:20] a true friend and always a giver to [48:23] others. Her friends were always able to [48:27] count on her for her support and [48:29] friendship, encouraging others to reach [48:32] their best. I remember one story, if I [48:34] could digress from what I wrote here. [48:36] Remember one story, she had a friend [48:37] Mindy who was want they were they were [48:40] doing some mountain climbing and she [48:42] said, "Nancy, I can't go on." And Nancy [48:46] said, "Yes, you can." And she says, "No, [48:48] I am not climbing this mountain." Nancy [48:51] pushed her up the mountain. And this is [48:54] what Nancy was very good being a support [48:56] for all of her friends and they in and [49:00] they in turn were supportive of her and [49:02] loved her. Nancy was strong in her [49:04] religious [49:06] faith whether traveling or biking or [49:08] giving Sedaka to anyone in need. In [49:12] fact, when she went on a back roads [49:14] biking trip, the first one she ever [49:16] took, she had she had to be in a tent. [49:18] She asked a Shila, "How am I going to [49:20] carry out of the tent? How are they [49:22] going to make me food? She brought her [49:24] own pots and pans and of course some [49:26] food. Um because how else is she going [49:30] to eat food? She needs to eat to have [49:32] energy. She was truly a walking kush [49:36] hashem. [49:37] She daved every morning from her sitter [49:40] before she left the house, whether it [49:43] was to go to work or to ride her bike. [49:46] Her sitter with its worn pages attest to [49:49] this. [49:52] Although she had been working for Caner [49:54] Fitzgerald for only five months before [49:57] September 11th, [50:00] the impact of NY's life reached far [50:02] beyond those five months. As an aside, I [50:06] just want to say that the owner founder [50:09] of Caner Fitzgerald is Howard Lucknik [50:12] who now is the US [50:16] >> uh secretary [50:17] >> of commerce [50:18] >> of commerce. uh he welcomed the [50:21] families, all of us [50:24] into the Caner family and and Edie [50:27] Lutnik who represents the relief fund [50:32] is equally as warm and welcoming and [50:35] she's a part of now that Howard has [50:38] stepped down, she's a part of it. Um, [50:41] NY's faith, her love, and her joy [50:45] continue to live on in all of us who [50:47] were fortunate to have known her. We [50:50] actually established the Nancy Memorial [50:52] Fund in NY's honor where we support um [50:56] victims of terrorists, whether it's the [50:59] wives and the families. We donate to [51:01] ambulance in Beamesh. We're we're trying [51:04] to do whatever we can to support uh [51:08] something that gives Nancy Zusen as [51:11] she's up watching us all and we [51:13] published a book and it's always [51:14] available online and we're always here [51:17] for uh to talk about her. Um the last [51:21] thing I want to say is Yahoo [51:24] and I want to thank you again for having [51:26] us here. [51:39] Tonight, as we gather in shared [51:41] remembrance, we are honored to welcome [51:44] Heart of Nova, a band created as one of [51:47] the initiatives of the Nova Tribe [51:49] organization. [51:51] This organization supports over 10,000 [51:55] survivors, bererieved families, and [51:58] returned hostages, providing a long-term [52:01] network for emotional, social, and [52:04] functional healing. It's built on our [52:07] shared values of freedom, resilience, [52:10] and hope. And the band brings its [52:12] members together through the language of [52:14] music, offering them a fulfilling and [52:16] healing form of self-expression. [52:19] Performing for us tonight is Talibin, [52:23] a survivor of the Nova Festival. [52:26] She endured seven endless hours of [52:28] terror. [52:30] Out of that darkness, Tali has become a [52:32] brave voice for women who suffered [52:34] unimaginable atrocities, ensuring that [52:37] their pain is heard and their memories [52:39] honored. Guy Ben Shimon is a former [52:42] national martial arts champion. He too, [52:46] a NOVA survivor. He's finding his way [52:48] back to life through music. He is joined [52:51] by Rakum who lost her beloved sister [52:54] Nitsan [52:57] who was four months pregnant [52:59] alongside Nitan's partner Leidul and [53:03] their uncle A. [53:05] Together they will now perform Shirot [53:08] echoing the words I lift up my eyes to [53:10] the mountains. Where does my help come [53:13] from? Where words fail, their music [53:17] speaks. [53:19] Heart of Nova. [53:31] She [singing] [53:33] lord [53:36] I know [53:38] [singing] [53:41] I in your [music] Oh, as [53:48] [music] [53:49] [singing] [53:49] may [53:53] [singing and music] [53:59] [singing and music] [54:04] >> [singing] [54:10] [music] [54:14] >> Show me [54:18] a [54:21] >> [music] [54:25] [singing] [54:29] >> Your mom [54:39] [music] [54:44] [music] is more [54:48] >> [singing] [54:51] >> boy [54:53] [music] [54:58] love. [55:02] May I [55:06] do the love? [55:12] [music] [55:18] >> [music] [55:26] [music] [55:32] [music] [55:39] [music] [55:44] >> She [singing] [55:46] Lord [music] [55:48] is [55:51] [singing] [55:53] may I in your voice [56:00] [music] [56:02] my sh [56:06] [singing and music] My [56:15] [singing] [56:17] sham [music] [56:20] [singing] [56:27] [singing] [56:30] [music] [56:31] sh [56:33] a [singing] [56:36] >> [music] [56:42] >> Your mama [singing] [56:48] [music] [56:49] [singing] [56:54] [music] [56:55] [singing] [56:59] [music] [57:01] ache. [57:03] [singing] [57:06] May I die? [57:10] [singing] [57:15] May I [singing] die? [57:24] [music] [57:31] >> [singing] [57:31] >> Lord, [57:36] [singing] [57:38] may I hear [57:43] [music] [57:46] [singing] [57:50] [music] [57:52] [singing] [57:54] Fore! [music] [58:00] [singing and music] [58:09] [singing] [58:13] [music] [58:14] Foreign! Foreign! [singing] [58:20] >> [music] [58:24] [singing] [58:26] [music] [58:28] >> No, you can't [58:33] [singing] [58:36] [music] smoke. [58:38] [singing] [58:45] >> [singing] [58:47] [music] [58:49] >> Mad [58:53] [singing] [58:59] [singing] [59:04] [singing] [59:19] Thank you for that moving performance. [59:23] And now to recite the poem The Names by [59:25] former US poet laurate Billy Collins [59:28] written just one year after September [59:30] 11th, 2001. [59:32] It is my honor to invite an American [59:34] patriot, a true friend of Israel, the [59:38] founder of the October 7th Coalition, a [59:41] network of Christians standing against [59:43] anti-semitism, [59:45] and a multiple Emmy award-winning actor, [59:48] producer, and best-selling author. [59:50] Ladies and gentlemen, Patricia Heaton. [60:02] Yesterday I lay awake in the palm of the [60:06] night. A soft rain stolen, unhelped by [60:10] any breeze. And when I saw the silver [60:13] glaze on the windows, I started with a [60:17] with a happened, then Baxter and [60:21] Calabro, Davis and Eberling. [60:25] Names falling into place as droplets [60:28] fell through the dark. Names printed on [60:32] the ceiling of the night. Names slipping [60:35] around a watery bend. [60:38] 26 willows on the banks of a stream. [60:42] In the morning, I walked out barefoot [60:45] among thousands of flowers heavy with [60:48] dew like eyes of tears. And each had a [60:53] name. Fiori inscribed on a yellow petal. [60:58] Then Gonzalez and Han is Shikawa and [61:02] Jenkins. [61:04] Names written in the air. [61:15] Names stitched into the cloth of the [61:18] day. A name under a photograph taped to [61:22] a mailbox. monogram on a torn shirt. I [61:27] see you spelled out on storefront [61:29] windows and on the bright unfurled [61:33] awnings of this city. [61:35] I say the syllables as I turn a corner. [61:39] Kelly and Lee, Medina, Nardella, and [61:43] Okconor. [61:44] When I peer into the woods, I see a [61:47] thick tangle where letters are hidden as [61:50] in a puzzle concocted for children. [61:54] Parker and Quigley in the twigs of an [61:57] ash. Rizzo, Schubert, Torres, and Upton. [62:02] Secrets in the boughs of an ancient [62:05] maple. [62:06] Names written in a pale sky. [62:10] Names rising in the updraft amid [62:12] buildings. [62:14] Names silent in stone [62:17] or cried out behind a door. [62:21] Names blown over the earth and out to [62:25] the sea. [62:27] In the evening, weakening light the last [62:31] swallows. [62:33] A boy on a lake lifts his oars. A woman [62:36] by a window puts a match to a candle and [62:40] the names are outlined on the rose [62:43] clouds. Vanic and Wallace. [62:48] Let X stand if it can for the ones [62:51] unfound. [62:53] Then Young and Zaminsky. [62:56] The final jolt of Z. [62:59] Names etched on the head of a pin. [63:03] One name spanning a bridge, another [63:06] undergoing a tunnel. A blue name needled [63:11] into the skin. [63:13] Names of citizens, [63:15] workers, mothers, and fathers. The [63:19] brighteyed daughter, the quick son. [63:22] Alphabet of names in a green field. [63:26] Names in the small tracks of birds. [63:29] Names lifted from a hat or balanced on [63:34] the tip of a tongue. [63:36] Names wheeled into the dim warehouse of [63:39] memory. [63:41] So many names. There is barely room on [63:45] the walls of the heart. [63:57] Thank you, Miss Heaton. [63:59] Now, ladies and gentlemen, we will begin [64:02] the wreath laying ceremony with the [64:04] participation of Bereieve families, [64:06] dignitaries, the United States Embassy, [64:08] Marine Detachment, and firefighters from [64:11] the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority. As [64:13] the wreaths are laid, two beams of light [64:17] will rise [64:19] into the Jerusalem sky, symbolizing the [64:22] Twin Towers and the echoing the tribute [64:25] in light in lower Manhattan. They remind [64:27] us that absence can be given form, that [64:30] memory can illuminate darkness, and that [64:33] the lives taken from us continue to call [64:36] us toward responsibility and hope. [64:46] And now on behalf of the families of the [64:49] victims, [64:53] Miss Iris Kramer, [music] [64:54] sister of Shai Levenzar of Blessed [64:57] Memory, and Miss Reena Kaufman and [64:59] sister of Leon Leour of Blessed Memory, [65:03] both of whom were killed in the North [65:05] Tower on September 11th, 2001. [65:20] >> [music] [65:28] [music] [65:38] >> on behalf of the people of the United [65:40] States of America. His Excellency, the [65:43] Honorable Mike Huckabe, Ambassador of [65:46] the United States to Israel. [65:52] [music] [66:20] >> [music] [66:21] >> on behalf of Ken Krael, [66:24] Mr. Yuval Yeni, CFO and acting CEO [66:30] >> [music] [66:52] [music] [67:03] >> On behalf of [music] Jewish National [67:04] Fund USA, National Board Member Gadi and [67:08] Chief Israel Officer Talia [music] [67:10] Sul of [67:16] [music] [67:22] [music] [67:31] >> [music] [67:52] [music] [67:59] >> On behalf of the city of Jerusalem, [68:01] Deputy Mayor Aayub [68:15] [music] [68:23] >> [music] [68:34] [music] [68:37] >> On behalf of the Israel Fire and Rescue [68:39] Authority, Commissioner [music] Ayal [68:42] Kaspi, [68:47] >> [music] [69:00] [music] [69:10] [music] [69:12] >> On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign [69:13] Affairs, Ambassador [music] Do Shapi A [69:16] head of Bureau North America division [69:19] and former Israeli ambassador to the [69:21] United States, Elav bin [music] Yam. [69:33] [music] [69:44] >> [music] [69:47] >> On behalf of the diplomatic community, [69:50] Ambassador Helena Pa, Ambassador of [69:53] Portugal [music] [70:05] [music] [70:10] >> [music] [70:22] [music] [70:28] [music] [70:31] >> on behalf of the Israel Police Deputy [70:34] Commissioner Major General Ya Petroni. [70:44] [music] [71:01] >> [music] [71:03] >> on behalf of Hadasa CEO Ellen [71:06] Finkelstein and National President [71:09] [music] Roda Smolo. [71:24] >> [music] [71:32] [music] [71:43] [music] [71:45] >> On behalf of New York City first [71:47] responders, retired detective Eliao [71:49] Miller and retired Homeland Security [71:52] Officer Officer Roger Mayo. [music] [72:00] [music] [72:07] [music] [72:12] [music] [72:29] on behalf of Jewish American veterans in [72:32] Israel. Retired US Air Force [music] [72:34] officer Aaron Shear and US Army veteran [72:38] David Simkins. [72:48] >> [music] [72:57] [music] [73:08] >> on behalf of the New York Police [73:10] Department [music] and the New York [73:11] Police Department Shomaleim Society, [73:13] retired NYPD Captain Gary Katz and [73:16] retired [music] NYPD officer David [73:26] [music] [73:32] >> [music] [73:39] [music] [73:47] [music] [73:55] [music] [73:57] >> On behalf of Nephes Benffesh, Vice [74:00] President of Development, Dorit [74:02] Friedman. and director of national [74:03] development, Leon. [74:14] [music] [74:19] [music] [74:25] >> [music] [74:35] [music] [74:35] >> on behalf of Alexander Mus High School [74:38] in Israel. students Elanabinsky and [74:41] Sebastian Schneider. [74:44] [music] [75:03] >> [music] [75:09] [music] [75:23] [music] [75:27] >> Thank you. [75:29] And now, ladies and gentlemen, as we [75:31] approach the conclusion of this [75:33] ceremony, the special in uniform band [75:36] will lead us in the singing of Hatikva, [75:39] Israel's national anthem, accompanied, [75:41] of course, by the Israel Police [75:43] Orchestra. Please rise. [76:05] >> [music] [76:07] >> Call [singing] Lord [76:13] >> [music and singing] [76:18] [music] [76:19] >> Oh, [singing] [76:23] what [76:25] [music] is [76:28] God? [76:30] [singing] [76:32] I let the [76:36] so [76:40] [singing] [76:42] [music] [76:47] [music] [76:54] [music] [76:57] the [singing] falling [76:59] [music] [77:03] away. [77:06] [music] [77:11] Heat. [music] [77:18] [singing] [77:20] [music] [77:27] >> [music] [77:34] >> You may be seated. [77:39] This year our commemoration holds a [77:42] special significance [77:44] in a very rare convergence of dates. It [77:47] seems that September 11th falls on [77:50] Roash, [77:52] the eve of the Jewish New Year, a time [77:56] when we reflect on the past and look [77:59] ahead with hope and renewal. [78:03] As we remember those whose lives were [78:05] taken in acts of terror, let us also [78:07] reaffirm our shared commitment to a [78:10] future of peace, of dignity, and mutual [78:12] understanding. May their memory inspire [78:15] us to stand united against hatred and [78:19] violence. And may we be blessed with a [78:22] year in which no nation, no community, [78:26] no family will know the pain of [78:29] terrorism. [78:30] As a new year approaches, we wish all of [78:33] you and your loved ones a year of [78:35] health, peace, hope, and blessing. May [78:38] the memories of all those we lost be a [78:41] blessing. And may their light of their [78:43] memory also accompany us into a new year [78:46] of po of peace, of hope, and of healing. [78:50] And now that our ceremony has concluded, [78:52] you're invited to approach the memorial [78:55] walls, walk amongst the names, and lay a [78:57] flower in remembrance beneath the two [79:00] beams of light. Thank you for joining us [79:03] on this 25th commemoration. [79:07] Lotto.
