In Jewish thought, zikaron (remembrance) is more than memory; it is a sacred obligation. Just as we recall the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash each Tish’ah B’Av, we also mark tragedies of our own era, transforming grief into action and strength.
For the Jewish Community of Queens, September 11, 2001, remains seared into collective memory: Families lost loved ones, first responders from our neighborhoods gave their lives, and our yeshivos and shuls became spaces of t’filah and consolation.
This year’s commemoration, “Remembering September 11,” will take place on Wednesday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m., at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills (70-11 150th Street).
The evening’s keynote address will be delivered by acclaimed radio personality Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and candidate for New York City mayor, who is now polling within the margin of error for a candidate from his party for the first time since 2009. Returning to Kew Gardens Hills, Sliwa has often described 9/11 as a “turning point in the life of New York – one that reshaped the city’s sense of security and solidarity.” He has stressed that memorials to the fallen – especially first responders – “must always be respected and maintained,” a message that resonates strongly in Queens, where so many Jewish families count heroes of that day among their own.
Sliwa’s bond with the Jewish community is longstanding. From deploying Guardian Angels to protect Jewish families during the Crown Heights riots to marching annually in the Israel Day Parade, his record has been one of solidarity. More recently, his sons – close in age – celebrated their bar mitzvahs, marking a personal connection to Jewish life that makes his presence at this memorial especially poignant.
The program will be hosted by radio host Zev Brenner, CEO of Talkline Communications. Special participation will come from NYC Council Member Bob Holden, a Queens lawmaker recognized for his strong advocacy on public safety, and Yoni Hikind, son of former NYS Assemblymember Dov Hikind, who continues his family’s legacy of Jewish and civic activism.
The evening will also include Rabbi Daniel Rosenfelt, mara d’asra of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, leading the community in T’hilim. In addition, Dr. Paul Brody – Great Neck activist and ZOA President for Long Island & Queens – will sing the national anthems of the United States and Israel. A concluding Q&A will feature Sliwa in conversation with Tzippy Feldman, a recent Touro University graduate with a passion for advocating for Jewish causes.
For Jews, zikaron is never abstract; it demands action. To gather in Kew Gardens Hills on the eve of September 11 is to bear witness, to honor sacrifice, and to renew our commitment to achdus and resilience. Twenty-four years later, we remember and build – together – in strength and faith.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
