28 | OCTOBER 17 • 2024 J
N

I

n recognition of the 23rd 
anniversary of 9-11, Jewish 
National Fund-USA partnered with 
Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills 
to host a special 9-11 ceremony. 
The event honored local first 
responders and security officers who 
bravely serve our community by 
educating students about terrorist 
attacks that forever changed our nation 
and reaffirming the shared values 
between Israel and the United States as 
beacons of freedom and democracy.
Hillel Day School staff and students 
presented school security guards 
Richard Novakowski and Ronen 
Meir with a plaque featuring Jewish 
National Fund-USA and KKL-JNF’s 
9-11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem 
— the only commemorative site of its 
type outside of the U.S. that features 
all the names of those who were killed 
on 9-11. 
Established in 2009, the monument 
pictured in the photograph — 
an American flag waving and 
transforming into a flame of liberty 
and hope with a base that includes a 
piece of metal from the ruins of the 
Twin Towers — is a testament to the 
enduring connection between the 

State of Israel and the U.S. and our 
countries’ shared values of peace, 
religious tolerance, democracy, 
freedom, resilience and fighting 
terrorism.
Hillel students and staff also 
recognized three parents who are 
first responders in the community, 
presenting each of them with a 
certificate that trees have been planted 
in Israel by Jewish National Fund-USA 
in their honor. 

“This program allows our middle 
schoolers and staff the time to 
remember and honor those who died 
and served on Sept. 11,” said Hillel 
Day School Director of Grades 6-8 
and Athletics Nicole Miller. “Having 
members of our community present, 
who currently serve and protect, is 
extremely meaningful and allows 
our students the opportunity to give 
thanks and recognize those who keep 
us safe.” 

Hillel Day School students hosted a special 9-11 ceremony.
Honoring First Responders

OUR COMMUNITY

PHOTOS COURTES HILLEL DAY SCHOOL

Hillel Day 
School 
honors school 
security 
guards and 
Farmington 
Hills Police. 

Rabbi David 
Fain presents a 
plaque to Capt. 
Andy Radze of 
the Farmington 
Hills Police 
Department

