Jewish organizations and synagogues around the country have planned a variety of events to commemorate the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, including memorial services, charity work and a “team circuit” group exercise session.
The Jewish National Fund-USA announced hosting events nationwide, including at 34 colleges. In partnership with Students Supporting Israel, memorials will take place at Tulane University, the University of Michigan, Vanderbilt University, Wellesley College, Rice University, Kent State University, Rutgers University, the University of California Berkeley and Columbia University, among others.
Scott H. Gendell, JNF’s vice president of campus engagement, said the ceremonies in memory of the 2,977 victims “are a reminder of the common destiny that unites the U.S. and Israel.”
Gendell called himself honored “to have the opportunity to bring our community together to recognize our brave first responders and remember the victims of 9/11.”
He said: “We must never forget that our shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and peace remains the ultimate bulwark against terrorism and intolerance.”
JNF will also bring Jewish day-school students to firehouses and police stations to honor first responders and other emergency-service workers, hear about the history of the terror attacks that stuck sites in New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., and learn of the common values shared by Washington and Jerusalem.
The New York chapter of the Jewish charity organization Repair the World will participate at the Intrepid for 9/11 Day of Service. Volunteers will work from 12:45 p.m. through 4:30 p.m. helping prepare meals.
The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center in Bridgewater, N.J., has planned a 45-minute “9/11 Memorial Workout” that urges “let’s come together to sweat, remember and pay tribute.”
Attendees will participate in a “team circuit” competition to include such exercises as skaters, lunges, burpees with push-ups, leg raises, jumping jacks, butt kickers, squat jumps and more.
In New York, the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore in Plandome, and Temple Israel of Great Neck on Long Island will host memorial services.
Am Shalom of Chicago in the heavily Jewish suburb of Glencoe will lead a memorial gathering at the town’s flagpole, co-sponsored with Glencoe Public Safety services.
