‘You are standing today’: A Jewish lesson for America, 25 years after 9/11

As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, this article draws parallels between the Jewish experience of destruction and rebuilding and America's response to the 2001 terrorist attacks. It references the haftarah (Isaiah 61:10-63:9), which speaks of Jerusalem's transformation from desolation to renewal, and the parasha Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9), where Moses reassures the Jewish people of their continued existence despite adversity. The author emphasizes the importance of remembering 9/11 for future generations, stating, "The next generation should know what happened. They should know who carried it out and why. And they should know how Americans responded with resilience and determination." The article concludes that understanding the past is crucial for defending the future against ongoing threats.