Abraham Zelmanowitz

Abraham J. Zelmanowitz (December 30, 1945 – September 11, 2001) (also known as Abe, Avrame, and Avremel) was a computer programmer who worked for Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield[1] on the 27th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center in New York City who died in the collapse of the north tower of the World Trade Center during the attacks of September 11, 2001.[2]

Abraham Zelmanowitz
Zelmanowitz's name is located on Panel N-65 of the National September 11 Memorial’s North Pool.
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
EmployerEmpire Blue Cross and Blue Shield

September 11 attacks

One of his best friends was co-worker and fellow computer programmer Ed Beyea, who was a quadriplegic. With the elevators not working after the attack, Beyea had no way of getting out. Rather than go down the stairs and try to save himself, Zelmanowitz chose to stay with his friend, and wait with him for a rescue team to carry Beyea down.[3]

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[4]

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.[5]

At the National 9/11 Memorial, Zelmanowitz is memorialized at the North Pool, on Panel N-65.[6]

References
  1. 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.
  2. Mark Ländler (2002-01-17). "A NATION CHALLENGED: SURVIVORS; Sharing Grief to Find Understanding". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-12-11.
  3. Evelyn Zelmanowitz and Yaffa Shilman (March 10, 2002). "September 11 - A Memorial". CNN. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  4. 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.
  5. 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."
  6. "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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