The U.S. Embassy in Israel, along with several other Jewish organizations, held its annual service in commemoration of the 17th anniversary of those who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
The memorial ceremony took place at the only 9/11 memorial outside the United States—a 30-foot-high bronze sculpture created by Israeli artist Eliezer Weishoff and landscape architect Yechiel Cohen.
It depicts “the American flag folded into the shape of a memorial flame; a metal shard from the ruins of the Twin Towers is incorporated into the base of the monument, which overlooks a magnificent vista of the Jerusalem Hills and the Arazim Valley,” according to a joint press release from the embassy, the Jewish National Fund (JNF-USA) and Keren Kayemet LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF).
“In this beautiful plaza, at this inspiring location, we remind the families of those lost, and we confirm to people everywhere, that we stand together—Americans and Israelis—and that together we continue to heal and to build, in a spirit of solidarity and commitment to the future,” said U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.
“This monument holds with it a commitment to all the victims, survivors and their families,” said KKL-JNF vice chairman Yair Lootsteen. “It is a commitment to plant and grow, in a place where some wished to disrupt, uproot and tear apart. Here we choose, each year, to take an oath in the name of those who have lost their lives—to do all we can to build a better future for the next generations.”
JNF-USA chief Israel officer Eric Michaelson said “the 9/11 Living Memorial stands as a bright beacon of the shared values and brotherhood of both our nations; as we look past even the darkest times and remain standing together, giving each other the strength to continue building a better world for the future.”
