Page 29 - Jewish News | November 2021

COMMENTARY November 2021 29A

Immaculate reaction Reflections on the 20 anniversary
th
of 9/11

Ammiano’s still living track coach
who recalled how, during the awards By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
ceremony, he was asked to leave the wenty years have gone by since and division, they did not succeed.” respect for the lives lost on that horrif- our children and to our grandchildren –
school auditorium at one point to speak that terrible September day that His name is Gordon Felt. He has ic day and as an expression of unified the land of the free and the home of the
to an administrator in a hallway. Du-Tsaw jet planes crash into the visited the memorial called the “Wall thought honoring all who gave their brave, America, the greatest democra-
ring this time, he assumed Ammiano twin towers in New York, the Pentagon of Names” in Somerset County, Penn- lives to safeguard these cities and this cy in all the world.

had received the letter he had rightfully in Virginia and the field in Shanksville, sylvania, time and time again. It is country. Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found-
earned. Pennsylvania. Our country and the there that he reclaims his loving rela- What was exemplified on Septem- ing chair of the Robert and Esther
Acknowledging the school’s mal-world have gone through moments of tionship with his brother Edward, who ber 11, 2021, was that our country can, Heller Community Relations Commit-
feasance, the alumni affairs director continued strife and occa- was one of the 40 heroes when properly motivated, draw togeth- tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.
wrote Ammiano: “We most certainly sions of the utmost bravery. on Flight 93 that crashed er and reach out to one another finding
would like to right this wrong and we, As we reflect on the reality in the Somerset field. On strength in sharing our love and respect Crossword Puzzle
too, are more than dismayed by this of 9/11, we need to think this, the 20 anniversary for all that happened 20 years ago. Solution to puzzle on page 19A
th
situation.” Referring to the school’s about some special people of 9/11, Gordon spoke at Today, too many people speak of
mascot, she indicated that Ammiano who made this 20 anni- the Pennsylvania memo- divisiveness in our country, lack of
th
possessed the heart of a lion and that versary so special. rial. He said the follow- respect for one another, and failure to
his character and conviction serve as His name is Michael ing: “Our country and the listen to and understand the words of
“an inspiration.” Arad, an Israeli citizen, world needs places like those who may disagree with us, but
Since a representative would not the son of a former foreign the Flight 93 National still have a right to be heard. We are
be able to visit Ammiano in person, ambassador from Israel. Memorial because it re- the UNITED States of America. On
the school requested Saxon personally He was born in London, Rabbi Howard A. Simon minds us of who we are, that day of remembrance, we opened
deliver the custom-made letter embla-attended high school in Mexico City who we became and, perhaps, who we our hearts to one another. We held
zoned on a resplendent white sweat-where his father Moshe was then post- could once again become.” hands, spoke words of comfort, em-
er. When an appreciative Ammiano ed. He went to Dartmouth College and Former President George Bush braced, shed tears, heard the names of
greeted Saxon at his door, he warmly returned to Israel to fulfill his required also spoke at the Pennsylvania Memo- all who perished on that day, and we
announced the arrival of the “mitzvah service in the Israel Defense Forces. rial. He reminded the audience of the realized what America means to us, to
man.” He then attended graduate school in important fact that “On America’s Day
The pursuit of justice, such as the Atlanta, married Melanie Fitzpatrick of trial and grief I saw millions of peo- What do you think?
fight for equal rights, is frequently per-and moved to Manhattan. ple instinctively grab for a neighbor’s
ceived in broad terms. But opportu- Michael, an architect, prepared hand, and rally for the cause of one an-
nities to right wrongs are often found and submitted his design for the 9/11 other. That is the America I know.” The Jewish News wants to know!
within our purview on a much small-memorial. More than 5,200 designs That is the America that was rep-
er scale. The question is why certain were submitted and his was chosen. resented in New York, Virginia and Send an email to jewishnews18@gmail.com.
people pursue them while others either He envisioned a street-level memorial Pennsylvania. That is the America that
don’t seem to care, don’t want to take that could attract and hold the attention brought Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Letters Policy
the time required, or assume that any of all visitors. He called it “Reflec- Obama and Bill Clinton to the site Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words, must be typed, and include the
salient indignity or injustice will surely tive Absence.” With the completion where the World Trade Center tow- writer’s name, mailing address and phone number. Letters can be submitted via USPS
be addressed by someone else. Though of this memorial, Arad stated, “If the ers fell. Each man wore a blue ribbon or email (jewishnews18@gmail.com). Not all letters will be published. Letters may be

nether gay nor Catholic, Stephen terrorists thought they would sow fear and held his hand over his heart in edited for length and content.
Saxon’s heightened sense of responsi-
bility motivated him to initiate a cause build. advocate.
on behalf of someone he didn’t even
know.
The revered Rabbi Leo Baeck not- remember. support.
ed, “A minority is compelled to think;
that is the blessing of its fate.” Saxon’s
“thinking” reflects recognition of the Government Affairs
potential role all of us can play in rec- Meetings with elected officials are increasingly important as we see support for Israel
tifying unfairness. In Hebrew, the term eroding around the world. Advocating for Jewish interests starts locally and often goes
sim lev, translated as “pay attention,”
literally means “to put to one’s heart.” to Washington D.C. You can count on the Heller CRC when it matters most, from
Acting on sim lev is how we defend advocating in our local school systems to championing national bills.
against cynicism and indifference. It is
the manifestation of our blessing as a
people.
Sim lev, of course, is not only re- ^ Builds Bridges
served for the detection of and response Robert and Esther Heller
to moral offense. This virtue should ^ Advocates through Government Affairs
also be expressed when we are moved CRC
by the thoughtfulness of others, like the COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE ^ Remembers the Holocaust
nursing home attendant who takes par-
ticularly sensitive care of a loved one
or someone who strongly defends con-
victions we hold dear. As Mark Twain Holocaust
famously remarked, “I can live for two
months on a good compliment.” Heller CRC assists school teachers, synagogues, churches and libraries to “Never
It’s said that a thousand sighs are Forget.” The Holocaust Speakers Bureau brings survivors’ personal stories to school
not worth one good deed. Sighing is children and adults alike. Classrooms Without Borders takes elite teachers
easy. Good deeds are in a wholly dif-
ferent category because they partake of each year to Poland with a survivor. These experiences change how they
the sacred. teach the Holocaust, helping them create upstanders in their schools.
Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz serves as the
Community Chaplain and Director of
the JFCS Jewish Healing Program. His HELLER CRC’S MISSION
position is underwritten by The Jewish To build relationships within the
Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.
Jewish and non-Jewish communities
and to advance common interests
through education and advocacy. jfedsrq.org/HellerCRC