Temple holds morning service and 9/11 memorial at dedicated bridge

Joe Nikic

Fourteen years ago Great Neck residents viewed the smoke and wreckage in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks from what is now known as Saddle Rock’s 9-11 Memorial Bridge.

On Friday, members of the Temple Israel community assembled at the 9-11 Memorial Bridge for a morning prayer service and commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks.

“What we Jews do well is establish commemorative events,” Senior Rabbi Howard Stecker said. “Today we come together to look at the great city that suffered tragedy 14 years ago.”

Temple Israel normally holds its 9/11 memorial service at night, but since Friday was the day of the Sabbath, the memorial merged with the morning prayer service at 7 a.m.

“It was a beautiful morning service. Where usually we are inside, it was nice to see the sun shining through the clouds on the towers in the city,” Associate Rabbi Daniel Schweber said. “For me, it was a very moving experience.”

After the prayer service was over, the 36 members in attendance looked towards the New York City skyline for a moment of silence, followed by a group singing of “America the Beautiful.”

Village of Saddle Rock Mayor Dan Levy, who was in attendance, helped coordinate the service by arranging a Nassau County police escort for marchers, parking near the bridge for those who preferred not to walk but still attend the memorial, service participants, and the partial closing of the bridge during the service.

Stecker said it is important to hold a 9/11 service every year even though people tend to move on as time goes on.

“As is sometimes the case with nature, feelings disappear,” Stecker said. “People tend to move on rather than forget.”

Temple Israel held a memorial service every year since the 9/11 attacks.

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