NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2025 — On the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Jewish National Fund-USA united thousands of Americans at various ceremonies nationwide and via a livestreamed memorial service from Israel, to remember the nearly 3,000 victims who perished and honor the first responders who keep our communities safe.
The organization’s annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony, which can be viewed on Jewish National Fund-USA's YouTube channel, was hosted at Jewish National Fund-USA’s and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem—the only memorial outside of the United States that lists every victim’s name, was attended by U.S. and Israeli leaders, including U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, first responders, victims’ families, Americans traveling abroad, and U.S. students attending Alexander Muss High School in Israel.
Highlights included a Presentation of the Colors by the United States Marines and remarks by Ambassador Huckabee, Jewish National Fund-USA President Deb Lust Zaluda, KKL-JNF Chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski, and NYPD Chief of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Thomas Galati, as well as performances by the Special in Uniform Band and freed hostage Dafna Elyakim.
Adelphi University Students Honor First Responders
“This memorial was not born of revenge, but built from a belief in shared values in light and in life,” said Jewish National Fund-USA President Deb Zaluda. “The difference between us and those who bring terror is clear. They choose destruction; we choose life. They are harbingers of fear; we are architects of hope. They glorify death; we sanctify the living. And that is the bond between the United States and Israel, and it is what makes us stronger together. So today, as we mourn, we also resolve to carry forward the light of memory, to live as free people who refuse to yield, and to teach future generations that the power of life, compassion, and resilience will always outshine the darkness of terror.”
Additionally, Jewish National Fund-USA partnered with dozens of Jewish Day Schools, congregations, and college campuses from coast to coast to honor local first responders while educating the next generation about the tragic events of 9/11. The “Shared Values: Honoring our Heroes” programs also emphasized the unbreakable connection and shared values cherished by the people of the United States and Israel. From pre-k to Hillel and Students Supporting Israel (SSI) members in colleges like Baruch, NYU, and the University of Florida, students of all ages were grateful for the opportunity to pay respect to their local police and fire departments, as well as the security officers who keep a watchful eye over their schools and synagogues.
“Our partnership with Jewish National Fund-USA made this program deeply meaningful, as it highlights the strong alliance between Israel and our own community,” said Rabbi Ari Karp, Director of Torah Studies (Grades K-8) at Hebrew Academy in Miami. “Honoring first responders here in Miami Beach reminds the students here at Hebrew Academy that values of courage, service, and sacrifice are shared across borders. We stand together in support of the brave men and women who protect us locally and beyond.
Beth El Phoenix gives a certificate featuring the 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem to Phoenix Police Department Detective Dave Osborne
Many of the educators who hosted 9/11 ceremonies recently participated in Jewish National Fund-USA’s Educators Mission to Israel, where they visited the 9/11 Living Memorial in person. Seeing the site, a powerful symbol of the unbreakable bond between the two nations and a reminder of the global responsibility to confront terrorism and hatred wherever it appears, inspired them to bring valuable lessons home to their communities.
“I did my 9/11 program with the 4th graders at my school,” said Ronit Miller, a teacher at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD who attended the Educator’s Mission. “It went really well and was a very meaningful experience for the kids. Thank you to Jewish National Fund-USA for helping us bring this to our schools and communities!”
To learn more about Jewish National Fund-USA’s 9/11 Commemoration Programs and Zionist education initiatives, visit www.jnf.org/9-11.
