Today, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA pauses to mark a solemn milestone: the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. A quarter of a century has passed since that fateful Tuesday morning, yet the memories of the 2,977 innocent lives lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, remain vivid and undiminished. May their memories be a blessing.
As the nation’s longest-serving active veterans’ organization, JWV expresses lasting gratitude for the extraordinary bravery of first responders, military personnel, and everyday heroes who ran toward danger to save others. We also honor the entire generation of service members, many of whom are in our ranks, who answered the call to defend our nation in the years that followed.
At Ground Zero in Manhattan, the names of the victims of this attack on our nation will be read aloud by their family members and loved ones at a solemn remembrance ceremony. Moments of silence will mark the exact times when the hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center’s iconic twin towers and when the towers fell. Vice President Vance is expected to attend.
At the Pentagon in Virginia, the 184 service members and civilians killed when hijackers steered a jetliner into the U.S. military headquarters will be honored. President Trump is expected to speak at the ceremony.
And in a rural field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a similar ceremony, marked by moments of silence, the reading of names, and the laying of wreaths, will honor the victims of Flight 93, the hijacked plane that crashed after crew members and passengers attempted to storm the cockpit.
While these events are solemn, they also demonstrate the commitment and resilience of our American spirit to stand against terrorists, remain united in the fight against terrorism, and defend the United States Constitution. JWV vows to continue educating Americans, especially our youth and those born after 2001, about the significance of 9/11.
In the Jewish tradition, remembering—Zachor—is a sacred obligation. We do not merely look back to mourn; we remember to carry forward the light and legacy of those who perished. On this significant anniversary, we pray that the victims’ memories remain an enduring blessing.
We also recognize that this 25th anniversary is a unique moment of reflection for our community, coinciding with our preparations for the High Holy Days at sundown and throughout the weekend. As we enter a season of introspection, renewal, and prayer for peace, let us reaffirm our commitment to unity and resilience and to defending our shared freedoms.
I urge all in JWV to honor, in their own way, those lost on September 11 and to remember the survivors, family members, and first responders whose lives were forever changed that day. JWV recognizes those currently serving to protect the freedom we enjoy as Americans. JWV remains steadfast and condemns all terrorist actions, past, present, and future.
To the families of the victims, the survivors, the first responders, and the veterans who bear the physical and emotional scars from that day and the wars that followed: JWV stands with you. We will never forget their sacrifice.
September 11, 2026
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About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) of the USA is the premier voice for Jewish uniformed service members and veterans in the United States. The JWV affirms that Jewish men and women serve honorably and heroically in the United States military in peacetime and in war. The JWV defends the rights and benefits of all service members and veterans, combats antisemitism, and supports the State of Israel.
https://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jwv-logo-v4.svg00Mary Grace Mohoneyhttps://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jwv-logo-v4.svgMary Grace Mohoney2026-09-11 09:12:102026-09-11 09:13:44A Message from National Commander Selina Kanowitz Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
As the Jewish community welcomes Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of a new year, we are reminded of the extraordinary gift of renewal. The sounding of the shofar calls us not only to reflect upon the year behind us, but to look with hope, purpose, and determination toward the year ahead.
For us, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, this Rosh Hashanah carries particular meaning.
We enter the new year at the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our organization. Under the leadership of National Commander Selina Kanowitz and National Vice Commander Scott Schlesinger, JWV is moving forward with renewed energy, a clear sense of purpose, and a commitment to ensuring that America’s Jewish veterans continue to have a strong and respected voice.
This year also brings a new Executive Board and organizational structure, designed to strengthen accountability, encourage collaboration, improve communication, and position JWV for the future. While our structure may evolve, the principles that have sustained JWV since 1896 remain unchanged: service, patriotism, advocacy, remembrance, and pride in the contributions of Jewish Americans to our nation’s Armed Forces.
Our history is extraordinary – but our future must be equally extraordinary.
The coming year gives us an opportunity to build upon more than 130 years of service while finding new ways to engage veterans of every generation. We will continue advocating for veterans and military families, confronting antisemitism wherever it appears, fighting veteran homelessness and unemployment, strengthening our communities, preserving the stories of Jewish military service, and ensuring that the next generation understands that JWV is not simply an organization that remembers history – we are an organization that continues to make it.
There is much work ahead of us, and that is exactly why this moment is so exciting.
With new leadership, a new Executive Board, a strengthened organizational structure, and the dedication of our Departments, Posts, members, patrons, partners, and supporters across the country, the year ahead has the potential to be one of the most exciting and consequential chapters in JWV’s modern history.
Rosh Hashanah reminds us that every new year begins with possibility. Let us embrace that possibility together.
May 5787 bring you and your families good health, happiness, peace, prosperity, and renewed purpose. May we continue to honor those who served before us, stand beside those who serve today, and build an organization worthy of those who will carry our mission forward tomorrow.
L’Shanah Tovah U’Metukah – may you be inscribed for a good and sweet year.
With warmest wishes for the New Year,
Selina Kanowitz National Commander Jewish War Veterans of the USA
Scott Schlesinger National Vice Commander Jewish War Veterans of the USA
https://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jwv-logo-v4.svg00Jamie Morrisonhttps://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/jwv-logo-v4.svgJamie Morrison2026-09-10 14:05:022026-09-10 14:08:15Rosh Hashanah 5787: A High Holiday Message for 5787
A Message from National Commander Selina Kanowitz Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
JVW AnnouncementsJWV Remembers and Will Never Forget
Today, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA pauses to mark a solemn milestone: the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. A quarter of a century has passed since that fateful Tuesday morning, yet the memories of the 2,977 innocent lives lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, remain vivid and undiminished. May their memories be a blessing.
As the nation’s longest-serving active veterans’ organization, JWV expresses lasting gratitude for the extraordinary bravery of first responders, military personnel, and everyday heroes who ran toward danger to save others. We also honor the entire generation of service members, many of whom are in our ranks, who answered the call to defend our nation in the years that followed.
At Ground Zero in Manhattan, the names of the victims of this attack on our nation will be read aloud by their family members and loved ones at a solemn remembrance ceremony. Moments of silence will mark the exact times when the hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center’s iconic twin towers and when the towers fell. Vice President Vance is expected to attend.
At the Pentagon in Virginia, the 184 service members and civilians killed when hijackers steered a jetliner into the U.S. military headquarters will be honored. President Trump is expected to speak at the ceremony.
And in a rural field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a similar ceremony, marked by moments of silence, the reading of names, and the laying of wreaths, will honor the victims of Flight 93, the hijacked plane that crashed after crew members and passengers attempted to storm the cockpit.
While these events are solemn, they also demonstrate the commitment and resilience of our American spirit to stand against terrorists, remain united in the fight against terrorism, and defend the United States Constitution. JWV vows to continue educating Americans, especially our youth and those born after 2001, about the significance of 9/11.
In the Jewish tradition, remembering—Zachor—is a sacred obligation. We do not merely look back to mourn; we remember to carry forward the light and legacy of those who perished. On this significant anniversary, we pray that the victims’ memories remain an enduring blessing.
We also recognize that this 25th anniversary is a unique moment of reflection for our community, coinciding with our preparations for the High Holy Days at sundown and throughout the weekend. As we enter a season of introspection, renewal, and prayer for peace, let us reaffirm our commitment to unity and resilience and to defending our shared freedoms.
I urge all in JWV to honor, in their own way, those lost on September 11 and to remember the survivors, family members, and first responders whose lives were forever changed that day. JWV recognizes those currently serving to protect the freedom we enjoy as Americans. JWV remains steadfast and condemns all terrorist actions, past, present, and future.
To the families of the victims, the survivors, the first responders, and the veterans who bear the physical and emotional scars from that day and the wars that followed: JWV stands with you. We will never forget their sacrifice.
September 11, 2026
###
About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) of the USA is the premier voice for Jewish uniformed service members and veterans in the United States. The JWV affirms that Jewish men and women serve honorably and heroically in the United States military in peacetime and in war. The JWV defends the rights and benefits of all service members and veterans, combats antisemitism, and supports the State of Israel.
Rosh Hashanah 5787: A High Holiday Message for 5787
JVW AnnouncementsL’Shanah Tovah!
As the Jewish community welcomes Rosh Hashanah and the beginning of a new year, we are reminded of the extraordinary gift of renewal. The sounding of the shofar calls us not only to reflect upon the year behind us, but to look with hope, purpose, and determination toward the year ahead.
For us, the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, this Rosh Hashanah carries particular meaning.
We enter the new year at the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our organization. Under the leadership of National Commander Selina Kanowitz and National Vice Commander Scott Schlesinger, JWV is moving forward with renewed energy, a clear sense of purpose, and a commitment to ensuring that America’s Jewish veterans continue to have a strong and respected voice.
This year also brings a new Executive Board and organizational structure, designed to strengthen accountability, encourage collaboration, improve communication, and position JWV for the future. While our structure may evolve, the principles that have sustained JWV since 1896 remain unchanged: service, patriotism, advocacy, remembrance, and pride in the contributions of Jewish Americans to our nation’s Armed Forces.
Our history is extraordinary – but our future must be equally extraordinary.
The coming year gives us an opportunity to build upon more than 130 years of service while finding new ways to engage veterans of every generation. We will continue advocating for veterans and military families, confronting antisemitism wherever it appears, fighting veteran homelessness and unemployment, strengthening our communities, preserving the stories of Jewish military service, and ensuring that the next generation understands that JWV is not simply an organization that remembers history – we are an organization that continues to make it.
There is much work ahead of us, and that is exactly why this moment is so exciting.
With new leadership, a new Executive Board, a strengthened organizational structure, and the dedication of our Departments, Posts, members, patrons, partners, and supporters across the country, the year ahead has the potential to be one of the most exciting and consequential chapters in JWV’s modern history.
Rosh Hashanah reminds us that every new year begins with possibility. Let us embrace that possibility together.
May 5787 bring you and your families good health, happiness, peace, prosperity, and renewed purpose. May we continue to honor those who served before us, stand beside those who serve today, and build an organization worthy of those who will carry our mission forward tomorrow.
L’Shanah Tovah U’Metukah – may you be inscribed for a good and sweet year.
With warmest wishes for the New Year,
Selina Kanowitz
National Commander
Jewish War Veterans of the USA
Scott Schlesinger
National Vice Commander
Jewish War Veterans of the USA
2026 National Convention Recap
JVW Announcements