Miami, Fl., September 10, 2021: In recognition of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) joined the Consulate General of Israel in Miami and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to honor first responders from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department and Miami-Dade Police Department at a commemoration ceremony and reception at the MDFR headquarters on Friday, September 10.
“It's hard to believe that this week marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on our nation, a day that forever changed our country and the world,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I am proud to honor the sacrifice of countless servicemen and women who put their lives on the line to rescue victims and survivors two decades ago and who have been working ever since to ensure that such a tragedy will never happen again.”
“The men and women honorably and bravely serving our county will forever remember the tragedy our nation experienced 20 years ago. The Miami-Dade Police Department is grateful for the recognition of all first responders and their sacrifices,” added Miami-Dade Police Department Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez.
Mayor Cava; Chief of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, Alan Cominsky; Assistant Chief of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, Ray Jadallah; Assistant Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, George Perez; Chaplain of the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue, Dr. Rabbi Sharon Israel; Chaplain of Miami-Dade Police Department, Mark Rosenberg; JNF-USA President, Miami, Maia Aron; and Consul General of Israel in Miami, Maor Elbaz-Starinsky; provided opening and closing remarks at the emotional service.
“Two decades have passed since the 9/11 attacks. The United States of America then faced tremendous evil, an affront to democracy and civilization. Despite the horror, the U.S. rose to defeat this threat menacing its citizens and the world,” said Consul General Maor Elbaz-Starinsky. “Today, as we did 20 years ago, the State of Israel stands together with our close friend. We thank the brave police officers and firefighters and all first responders who face harm and evil with courage and determination. We honor them and their families. Bless their memory and bravery.”
Maia Aron, KKL-JNF Israel Emissary Zohar Vloski, and Consul General Elbaz-Starinsky presented beautiful plaques featuring a prominent photo of JNF-USA and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem to Fire Chief Cominsky and Assistant Director Perez in recognition of the firefighters, paramedics, and police officers who worked tirelessly to save countless lives on that infamous day, as well as everyday first responders in our local communities who risk their lives to rescue others.
“Success in the fire service is not measured by the number of bugles or ribbons on our uniforms, but rather by the countless acts selflessly performed by first responders daily. This plaque recognizes the actions of those brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice 20 years ago and those who continue to serve our communities,” said Chief Cominsky.
JNF-USA and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Memorial is the only commemorative site of its type outside of the U.S. that lists all the names of those who perished on 9/11. JNF-USA will host a national 9/11 memorial ceremony at the site, attended by U.S Marines, the U.S. Embassy, Jerusalem chargé d'affaires, Israeli firefighters, police officers, and diplomats from around the world. It will also be broadcast to the world at 10:45 am ET via JNF-USA’s Facebook page and at jnf.org/ondemand.
“This monument in Jerusalem is a testament to the deep connection between the State of Israel and the U.S. and it serves as an everlasting symbol of the shared values of peace, religious tolerance, and democracy between the United States and Israel,” said Aron.
“On 9/11, we gather to remember one of the greatest tragedies ever to take place on American soil, added Vloski. “It is also a time to pause and remember all that is good in this world. Americans and Israelis have been attacked by the evil scourge of terrorism, yet we are united in our mission to bring light, freedom, and prosperity to our respective countries and to the world. Let us use this time as a moment to educate our children about our shared values so they may also pass on these lessons for generations to come.”
For more information about the ceremony or to learn more about JNF-USA and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial, contact KKL-JNF Israel Emissary, Zohar Vloski at zvloski@jnf.org. For ceremony details also contact, Ariel Roman-Harris, Director of Media Affairs, Consulate General of Israel in Miami at mediacultural@miami.mfa.gov.il.