METRO DETROIT, Mich., September 22, 2026 — In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Jewish National Fund-USA partnered with Adat Shalom Synagogue and Yachad Religious School to host several “Shared Values: Honoring our Heroes” programs for students, honoring their security teams and local first responders for their courage and unwavering commitment to protecting our communities.
At Adat Shalom Synagogue, approximately 70 students in second through seventh grade created colorful cards with personal messages of gratitude for the synagogue’s security team and the Farmington Hills Police and Fire departments, recognizing their commitment to protecting and serving their communities daily.
Adat Shalom Synagogue students created thank you cards for their local security team and first responders. Photo courtesy of Adat Shalom Synagogue.
“It has been 25 years since 9/11 and it is vital that we teach our children not only about this day of tragedy, but also about the response of bravery, community, and service,” said Dr. Melissa Ser, CJE, Religious School Director at Adat Shalom Synagogue. “Creating these cards gave our students a meaningful way to honor our first responders, express gratitude to those who protect us every day, and connect to the values of remembrance and action.”
Yachad Religious School, a partnership of Temple Emanu-El and Congregation Beth Shalom, hosted two separate events recognizing the school’s security team and Oak Park Public Safety officers. During the ceremonies, Gail Greenberg, RJE, Director of Lifelong Learning, presented security guards Clarence Lucas and Mike Johnson, as well as Officers Arbenowkse and Dean from the Oak Park Public Safety Department, with certificates of appreciation featuring Jewish National Fund-USA and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem— the only memorial of its kind outside the United States that lists the names of all those who perished on that infamous day.
Gail Greenberg, RJE, Director of Lifelong Learning with Oak Park Public Safety Department Officers Dean and Arbenowske. Photo courtesy of Gail Greenberg.
Established in 2009, the monument pictured on the certificate features an American flag waving and transforming into a flame of liberty and hope, with a piece of metal from the ruins of the Twin Towers incorporated into its base. The memorial is a testament to the deep connection between the United States and Israel and the countries’ shared values of peace, religious tolerance, democracy, freedom, resilience, and the fight against terrorism.
"With 9/11 and the Jewish High Holidays occurring during the same season, it was a meaningful opportunity to share that remembering, giving thanks, and helping others are values we can put into action," said Greenberg.
In July 2026, Greenberg and Ser visited the Jewish National Fund-USA 9/11 Memorial in Jerusalem and participated in a shared values ceremony with other senior educators nationwide while attending Jewish National Fund-USA's Educator’s Mission to Israel. Inspired by this deeply moving ceremony, they were integral to organizing similar shared values programming at their institutions.
Jewish National Fund-USA and KKL-JNF also hosted their annual 9/11 commemoration ceremony from the 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The ceremony featured U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee; Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Heaton; Jewish National Fund-USA CEO Russell F. Robinson; Jewish National Fund-USA Chief Israel Officer Talia Tzour Avner; KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky; and other distinguished guests. To watch the moving ceremony, visit Jewish National Fund-USA’s YouTube page.
For more information or to partner with Jewish National Fund-USA on future 9/11 Shared Values: Honoring our Heroes ceremonies, contact Dana Klein, Director, Campus Engagement at 617-423-0999 x484 or dklein@jnf.org
###
About Jewish National Fund-USA
For 125 years, Jewish National Fund-USA has helped strengthen the land and people of Israel by investing in the communities, infrastructure, and leadership that shape the country’s future. Our work is focused on making Israel’s North and South places where families can build full, vibrant lives with access to medical care, emergency response, water solutions, parks, playgrounds, jobs, and economic opportunity. Working with our donors and partners, we support underpopulated communities, help attract new residents, improve quality of life, and create the conditions for long-term growth. Our work reaches beyond projects on the ground. Through education, travel, and leadership opportunities, we connect Americans of all ages to Israel in meaningful and lasting ways. That vision continues with the World Zionist Village in Be’er Sheva, a global center that will bring people together to live, learn, lead, and strengthen the next generation of Zionist leadership. From urgent relief to long-term transformation, Jewish National Fund-USA is helping build a stronger future for Israel and creating lasting legacies for generations to come. Learn more at jnf.org.
