September 11, 2001 -- a date that changed the world

On that day, America suffered a grievous blow. We at VOS IS NEIAS will never forget the facts and feelings of that day -- our feelings as Americans, as Jews, as citizens of an unfamiliar world. We will never forget the sacrifice of the 3,000 men, women and children who perished that day. And we will ever strive to repay our debt to those brave souls from the NYPD, FDNY and EMT's who gave their own lives to save others.
We lost our neighbors and friends and family members, our commonplace assurance of everyday safety, and our innocence, as commercial airliners seized by murderous fanatics plowed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, into the Pentagon, and into a field in Pennsylvania.

In a time like this its also deserving to remember Hatzalah who played a pivotal role in the World Trade Center rescue operations. The very first ambulance to arrive at the World Trade Center following the first plane crash on September 11, 2001 was a Hatzalah ambulance. By the time the second airplane crashed into the second tower, there were two-dozen Hatzalah ambulances, including Hatzalah’s Communications and Command Center trailer, and more than 100 Hatzalah EMTs, paramedics, and doctors on scene. Before the buildings came down, ambulances had arrived from Hatzalah of Rockland County, 40 miles to the North, with additional medics and EMTs. During the first hour, over 125 patients were transported to area hospitals by Hatzalah ambulances.
At the south end of the Twin Towers, Hatzalah was the predominant ambulance service covering the disaster scene. Hatzalah ambulances transported numerous victims, including fire fighters and police

In addition, Hatzalah assisted in the rescue of thousands of men, women and children, who escaped to the docks near the Holocaust Museum in Battery Park and helped evacuate these people onto boats headed for New Jersey .
During the day some volunteers were missing , but, thank G-d, there were few casualties amongst the Hatzalah team - miraculously all Hatzalah members survived.

The Yom Tov (High Holy Days), commencing later this month, are a time of reflection and renewal. We will continue to pray for all who have lost their lives and have been scarred by terror, for the families and friends who continue to suffer, for the men and women from the NYPD FDNY and EMT who today and every day are protecting our freedom and our lives, and especially for thos Chevra Haztolah members who was there for all of us on that day five years ago, and are always ready for us 24 hours a day to save another life. May H'shem bless them and their families.