Chabad Terror Victims Project Joins U.S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro at Special 9/11 Ceremony in Israel
September 11, 2011: It was a day for solemn remembrances worldwide, marking ten years since the worst terror attack in American history.
Chabad Terror Victims Project (CTVP) — in recognition of the vitally important work CTVP does for victims of terror and their families in Israel — was invited to join with the staff of the United States Embassy in Israel, the Jewish National Fund, the Jerusalem Municipality, and others at a site in the cedar forest on the outskirts of Jerusalem to memorialize this most black day in history.
Memories of the World Trade Center towers falling and the anguish and grief that were felt around the world on that day formed the centerpiece of the highly emotional ceremony.
Three thousands victims, among them five Israelis, died on that horrible day in the United States ten years ago. Just as Americans struggle with the violence of 9/11 and its aftermath, Israel, no stranger to terror itself, also has families all throughout the country whose lives have been shattered by acts of terror and war that have taken place on Israeli soil.
CTVP, which works to restore the lives of over three thousand victims of terror and their families in Israel, attended the ceremony with a strong sense of solidarity, kinship and understanding for those in the United States whose lives have been forever changed by the acts that took place on 9/11.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro spoke with Rabbi Yossi Swerdlov and Rabbi Menachem Kutner of CTVP at the beginning of the ceremony. They told him about the broad reach of CTVP’s work with terror victims and their families in Israel and how much the humanitarian organization is accomplishing to help these families.
Several of the speakers spoke of how much Americans can learn from the way in which Israel, and organizations like CTVP, care for victims of terror.
Representatives of the families of the five Israelis killed in the 9/11 attacks were also among those who attended the ceremony in Jerusalem along with many other dignitaries. Ambassador Shapiro spoke about how the United States draws power and inspiration from Israel. And Israel stands firm, he said, against those who try to harm the American people.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Danny Ayalon praised President Barack Obama for rescuing and saving the lives of the six Israeli security guards who were in mortal danger from the rioters outside the Israeli Embassy in Egypt recently.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat reminisced about being in New York on September 11, 2001 on business and the horror of that day. This was before he became the Mayor of Jerusalem. He spoke also of the anger felt by people around the world who saw the horrible images of dancing in the streets in Gaza when they heard about the attacks in New York.
Efi Stenzler, Jewish National Fund Chairman, told those assembled that the monument to those killed on 9/11 in the cedar forest at the entrance to Jerusalem where they were standing was make of metal parts collected at the site of the Twin Towers.
CTVP is a unique non-profit organization that utilizes the resources of 270 Chabad Houses scattered throughout the length and breadth of Israel. CTVP aids and assists, in all ways possible – financial, practical, spiritual, and emotional – victims of terror and war in Israel and their families. And it does so for as long as is needed, whether that is a week, a month, a year or many years. CTVP’s help is always available to terror victims and their families in Israel.
For further information on the humanitarian work of Chabad Terror Victims Project, please visit www.ctvp.org.