Forest Hills Remembers 9/11

Forest Hills civic, religious, business and service groups are joining together this week for a series of tributes to the fallen on 9/11.
According to Rabbi Mayer J. Perelmuter of The Reform Temple of Forest Hills, eight churches and synagogues of the Forest Hills Interfaith Network will offer individual services of hope and healing at 7:30 p.m. on September 11th. He said that the community would be welcome to join the services.
Meanwhile, last Sunday, the American Legion Post at 107-15 Metropolitan Avenue held an outdoor service attended by area political leaders including Councilwoman Melinda Katz and State Assemblyman Michael Cohen.
According to Post Commander Thomas Winberry, the attendees included units of the New York Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, the Forest Hills Ambulance Corps. Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups and members of the Rotary Club.
Winberry said that approximately 100 candles were lit as part of the American Legions outdoor service.
The local business community will conduct its own observation of the 9/11 anniversary on September 24 sponsored by the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce. The program will focus on dealing with stress generated by the terrorist attack.
The event at Sgt. Garcias Restaurant will feature a talk by Pat Alexander of Project Liberty and the Bleuler Psychotherapy Center in Forest Hills. Limited seating is available to the public on a first come, first serve basis. For reservations, call (718) 268-6565
Rabbi Perelmuter said members of the Forest Hills Interfaith Network decided to conduct individual services instead of one joint service.
"This Network has been meeting regularly for the last 10 years," according to Perelmuter. "We are working together to build bridges in the community."
The group has held seminars over the years to get a sense of community.
The Reform Temples memorial plans on 9/11 include talks by leaders including Administrative Judge Stephen Fisher of the Queens County Court, Karen Koslowitz of Borough Hall and members of the Reform Temple congregation who were impacted by the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
They include Bill Kamen, Ron Reis and Irene Zorn.
Religious institutions participating in the memorials include the Forest Hills Jewish Center, Church in the Garden, St. Lukes Episcopal, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Or Lady of Mercy, First Presbyterian Church and Grace Lutheran Church.