Abraham Zelmanovich was known by several names. In the community he was called Avreimel, at work and among his friends, Abe. He was 55 years old and a quiet Orthodox Jew.
Their story was told on the Telegram channel “Men in Black.”
Although he had no wife or children, Abe had many friends. One of them was Ed Byay, a Christian who was confined to a wheelchair after an accident. Abe helped Ed in his office on the 27th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
On September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the towers, Abe refused to leave the building, telling his family, “I’m fine, but I won’t leave Ed.” After the plane crashed and started a fire, he sent Ed’s nurse home while he stayed with his paralyzed friend, waiting for help.
Firefighter Bill Burke came to the rescue and tried to save them, but the building collapsed before they could get out. All three died. Abraham’s remains were found in 2002 and buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
President George W. Bush highlighted Zelmanovich’s sacrifice at a national memorial service:
“We saw our national character in brilliant acts of self-sacrifice. Inside the World Trade Center, there is a man who could have been saved, but he stayed by the side of his paralyzed friend to the very end.”
A street was named in honor of Abraham Zelmanovich in New York, symbolizing his path as an example of true friendship and heroism.
Cursor previously published rare photographs of the 9/11 tragedy taken by ordinary people.
