Students Attend 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

by Talia Herbst, SSLI '25

This morning, Schechter students gathered in the gym for an all-school minyan followed by a ceremony to commemorate 9/11. Student Government planned for students from each grade to read prayers for peace and for the victims of 9/11.

Sophomores read a prayer for our country and a prayer for peace as part of the ceremony. (J. Jurysta)

Jewish Studies teacher Morah Becky described this morning's ceremony as “dignified.” In respect for this day, all upper school students were asked to dress nicely. Becky is proud of all students for “crafting the ceremony, recruiting students, and facilitating this morning's minyan and event.” 

Student Body President Elinor Schlissel and Vice President Samson Mildron helped plan the ceremony. Schlissel explained, “Samson and I looked through what has [been] used in past ceremonies in order to choose which passages would be more fitting and meaningful. We then recruited volunteers from each grade to read them out loud.”

Students who participated read multiple excerpts and prayers. Junior Shir Levenson read a prayer honoring the memory of those who were killed on 9/11. This prayer resonated with her because “we need to be praying for peace each and every day. Days like 9/11 remind us how broken our world is and that we need to work together to bring peace and prosperity for us and the next generations.”

Students remember the fallen victims of 9/11. (J. Jurysta)

Becky wanted to ensure the ceremony was respectful especially because "members of our Schechter community lost their lives in the attack, others lost loved ones or experienced injury, and some helped with the cleanup efforts in the weeks that followed. The anniversary of 9/11 impacts us all in some way.”

Levenson was proud to be a part of the ceremony, “It's important to remember and speak about 9/11 each year and honor those who lost their lives too soon. May their memories be a blessing, and may we have peace in our world.” 

The ceremony then concluded with the prayer for our country and the prayer for peace.

Schlissel concluded, “I am really grateful that we have a community of people that are so willing to step up and help contribute to the efforts to commemorate this day. Schechter students really came together to allow for an important day in history to be remembered the right way making sure we never forget."

Talia Herbst is a writer for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since December 2021. Talia is currently a junior at the Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: therbst25@schechterli.org.