Does anyone over kindergarten age on September 11, 2001, not remember where they were?
I was taking a walk in the Washington, DC, area that morning.
The sky was so blue.
The weather was unusually perfect.
Each year since 2009, a commemoration is held in Jerusalem, Israel, to remember those murdered on 9/11. It is the only memorial outside the US with the names of all those who lost their lives to terror.
In the monument, there is a piece from the Twin Towers that were destroyed that horrible morning.
The commemoration is sponsored by the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA), and the Embassy of the United States of America in Israel. It is held at the site of the 30-foot-high bronze sculpture created by Israeli artist Eliezer Weishoff.
This year it was held on the evening of September 11, 2024.
The flame design of the US flag looked different than in past years (see Remembering September 11, 2018) when the program began at midday with a tent-like covering to protect participants from the sun.
This year had yellow ribbons and references to October 7 and the continuing war and hostages in Gaza.
International fire fighters, police and military came in uniform.
The ceremony began with standing the presentation of flags by the Marine honor guard and the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
US Ambassador Jack Lew spoke with David Borowich Yaari and Hillel Fuld before the program began.
Hillel Fuld took a selfie with an IDF lone soldier whose father was killed on 9/11 before she was born.
Her father’s name is one of the almost 3,000 listed along the memorial wall.
Each year the program ends with memorial wreaths placed by honored guests.
To begin the week, the Israel Defence and Security Forum (IDSF) and the Danube Institute of Budapest sponsored a conference, “The October Effect- Strategic Implications for Israel and Europe in the Middle East War” at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, Israel.
The morning panel moderated by Jamie Geller discussed the tidal wave of antisemitism engulfing the West. Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Israel Special Envoy for Trade and Innovation, Laszlo Bernat Vespremy, Historian Jeff Ballabon, Senior Counsel for International and Government Affairs at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), and MP Michael Freilich, Belgium Chamber of Representatives participated.
“We knew we had problems since Durban in 2001” when the delegitimization of Israel began, was the opening of the remarks of Brig. General (Res) Yossi Kuperwasser the Director of Research at IDSF.
It was a long day with information and international speakers.
The closing panel discussed the Russia-China-Iran Axis and the US. Kristof Verese, International Director of the Danube Institute moderated a fascinating but not encouraging discussion with Or Yissachar, Vice-President IDSF, Monika Palotai, Religious Freedom Institute, and Robert C, Castel, Hungarian Israeli Security Policy expert. The lack of leadership from the US has led to a shift in world alliances.
However, the last two speakers offered some optimism to close out the day.
Janos Lastofka, Head of the Department for Middle East and North Africa and former Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Hungary spoke of Hungarian citizen support as Israel was attacked brutally.
Also, MEP Tomas Zdechovsky, a Czech politician with 5 years in the EU Parliament, stated that his country was pro-Israel. His warning was to beware of cyber attacks from Iran.
For those who want more, here is a site to check.
Not to be forgotten -A War on Two Fronts? The Hezbollah Menace. Lieutenant Colonel (Res) Sarit Zehavi, Chair of the ALMA Center for Research in the north contributed. She is the expert who lives in the north.
The Michael Levin Base held its annual gala fund raiser at the Kahn Theater to a sold-out crowd.
It’s a Jewish function, so there was food after speeches and awards in support of lone soldiers.
Around Israel, as at Ohel Nechama Synagogue in Jerusalem, fairs have been set up to support businesses adversely affected by the October 7 War.
But, also in Jerusalem, while remembering the war and hostages –
New signs for the 2024 Israel Festival and Design Week are posted along Jerusalem streets.
A new program for young adults “Keeping on Track” has the first session focused on gleaning insight and learning from our past on September 18. The second session looks forward, to “helping you plan your future with tools that are both tangible and meaningful” the next night at “HaMiffal” Center.
The workshop, which will be in English, is intended for young adults aged 18-40.
Road work on Jerusalem streets continues in many locations with more foreign workers arriving.
New buildings are rising as this one on the Givat Ram Campus.
The Jerusalem Roof Top Festival is expanding to many new locations, too many to include now.
Meanwhile, sadly the military cemeteries are expanding in too many locations.
The IDF has many units and branches. One special program supports soldiers with diverse issues. At the 9/11 commemoration, a special choir performed “Wind Beneath my Wings.”
The lighting on the monument as the program came to a close.
May good and light overcome the darkness for a brighter future for all.