STAMFORD – To mark the 18th anniversary of 9/11, middle school students from Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy in Stamford joined with Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) to pay tribute to the nation’s brave first responders at a ceremony honoring the Stamford Fire Department, held at the city’s Turn of the River Firehouse. 

“Today, we remember those who perished on 9/11 and pay special tribute to our first responders, many of whom lost colleagues as they rescued people from the World Trade Center,” said JNF-USA Director of Westchester & Southern CT, Sharon Lewis, who is also a Bi-Cultural alumni parent. “Our local firefighting men and women are especially close to our hearts given JNF-USA’s connection with Israel’s firefighters and our ongoing provision of equipment to them.”

Bi-Cultural Head of School Jackie Herman accompanied the school’s 7th and 8th graders to the event. The students brought with them two banners thanking the firefighters for their selfless acts of courage, to be hung in the firehouse. 

Emphasizing the shared values between the U.S. and Israel, Herman told those gathered, “For our students, this visit is an opportunity to remember those who tragically lost their lives and to salute the men and women who daily risk their lives to help others. Our emergency management teams – fire, police, EMTs – never hesitate to head into danger, while others are trying to escape it.” 

Fire Chief Captain Carl Alton, Jr. thanked the students for sharing the day with the firefighters.

“I would like to express a special thank you to the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy’s 7th and 8th graders and faculty, as well as JNF-USA for reaching out to this station and wanting to hold such a meaningful ceremony with us,” said Alton.

JNF-USA’s 9/11 memorial in Jerusalem is the only commemorative site of its type outside of the US that lists all the names of those who perished on 9/11. JNF-USA together with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael hold a commemoration ceremony every year at the memorial in Jerusalem.

Main Photo: Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy 7th- and 8th-graders present “thank you” banners to firefighters at a 9/11 ceremony held at Turn of the River Firehouse in Stamford.