Abraham Zelmanowitz

Abraham J. Zelmanowitz (December 30, 1945 – September 11, 2001) was an American computer programmer who worked for Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield[1][2] on the 27th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center in New York City, who died in the collapse of that building during the September 11 attacks in 2001.[3]

Abraham Zelmanowitz
Born
Abraham J. Zelmanowitz

December 30, 1945 (1945-12-30)
DiedSeptember 11, 2001(2001-09-11) (aged 55)
North Tower, World Trade Center, New York City, U.S.
Cause of deathCollapse of the North Tower of the World Trade Center
OccupationComputer programmer
Employer(s)Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Zelmanowitz's name is located on Panel N-65 of the National September 11 Memorial’s North Pool.

September 11 attacks

On September 11, 2001, Abraham Zelmanowitz (who was also known as "Avrame"[2] and "Abe"[1][2]) and his co-worker, computer programmer Ed Beyea, a computer programmer at Empire BlueCross BlueShield, were on the 27th floor of the North Tower, waiting for evacuation[4] following the collision of American Airlines Flight 11 with the building.[5] According to Zelmanowitz's sister-in-law Evelyn Zelmanowitz, Beyea, who was one of Zelmanowitz's friends and a quadriplegic, could not evacuate the building on his own, and so Zelmanowitz phoned her at 9:30am and told her over the phone that he would remain with Beyea until a rescue team arrived to help carry Beyea from the building. Both men were killed when the North Tower collapsed.[1]

President Bush mentioned Zelmanowitz's choice (although not Zelmanowitz by name) at the memorial prayer ceremony three days later, describing his action as heroic.

And we have seen our national character in eloquent acts of sacrifice. Inside the World Trade Center, one man, who could have saved himself, stayed until the end at the side of his quadriplegic friend.

— George W. Bush, Remarks at National Day of Prayer and Remembrance Service September 14, 2001[6]

Nearly one year after his death, Zelmanowitz's remains were positively identified among the debris, and he was brought to the Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery in Jerusalem, where he was interred beside his parents.[7]

At the National 9/11 Memorial, Zelmanowitz is memorialized at the North Pool, on Panel N-65.[8]

References
  1. Evelyn Zelmanowitz and Yaffa Shilman (March 10, 2002). "September 11 - A Memorial". CNN. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  2. Lasar, Rita (1 December 2001). "My Brother, Who Stayed Behind". O, The Oprah Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2018 – via HighBeam Research.
  3. Mark Ländler (2002-01-17). "A NATION CHALLENGED: SURVIVORS; Sharing Grief to Find Understanding". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-12-11.
  4. "Identification Card, Recovered". National 9/11 Memorial & Museum. 2019. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  5. "Flight Path Study – American Airlines Flight 11" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. February 19, 2002.
  6. George W. Bush (September 14, 2001). "Remarks at the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance Service". The American Presidency Project. University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  7. Staff (August 6, 2002). "A Steadfast Friend on 9/11 Is Buried", The New York Times. Accessed August 21, 2013. "The family of Mr. Zelmanowitz, 55, buried his remains next to his parents at the cemetery overlooking Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives."
  8. "North Pool: Panel N-65 - Abraham J. Zelmanowitz". National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Archived from the original on July 27, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
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