Publisher's Note
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September 5, 2008
Terror’s Memory
Andrew A. Buerger
Publisher
In the first column I wrote after 9/11/01, I advocated not for another national Barbecue Day, but for a moment of silence at every year at 10:30 a.m. — the moment the second tower fell — to collectively reflect on this international tragedy.
Seven years later, there has been no formal observance of the worst event on U.S. soil in more than a century. We seem to better recognize the horrible natural disaster wrought by Hurricane Katrina than the one from terrorists.
Personally, my favorite way to memorialize the anniversary for the 3,000 innocents who died is to participate in Baltimore’s Run to Remember, put on by Josh Levinson’s Charm City Run. Not only does it support the Baltimore Police Foundation and Baltimore Fire Department, but also the early morning 5K allows me to reflect for almost 30 minutes on how terrible that day was and how fortunate we are that some very brave people sacrificed their lives in the Twin Towers and in an airplane over Pennsylvania, preventing an even worse national tragedy.
The race starts symbolically and emotionally by running under an arch created by two fire truck ladders draping an American flag. It’s comforting to be with so many others that morning in the quiet Baltimore streets.
This year, though, I won’t be in that race.
Instead I will attend a Maryland/ Israel Development Center (MDIC) conference. The event, MarketReach America-Life Sciences & Medical Device Conference, says it will provide participants the inside track on Israeli innovation in “the exclusive business development program that connects Israel’s most promising life science and medical device companies with strategic partners, investors, and regulatory authorities in the U.S. market.”
It’s being held at John Hopkins’ Koch Cancer research building, the leading research institution in America, giving the event instant creditability.
I’m looking forward to hearing about the cutting-edge work being done in Israel and not missing a night’s sleep in my own bed; MDIC is bringing the Israelis to Baltimore.
But I’m really going because it’s on 9/11. I want to see for myself how what the Israelis are working on makes the Jewish State an even better place to live, and to see how they are using technology to make the entire world a better place. Their use and embrace of technology will put them even further ahead of the rest of the world.
I want to be there on 9/11 in contrast to what much of the Arab world, where the hijackers came from, has done since that horrible day, when some of their sons used simple technology to try to destroy American landmarks and innocent Americans.
MDIC Executive Director Barry Bogage told me the date is just a coincidence. One can’t help, however, but notice the stark contrast in priorities. While many Jews look to innovate for the future, some in the Islamic world fight to return to the 12th century.
While we all long for simpler times, it’s impossible to stop innovation. Nor would we want to stifle work on a cure for cancer and other biotech solutions to improve and save lives.
The anti-Semites love to point towards an “Israel Lobby” that keeps the only Jewish nation safe from hostile neighbors. Rarely does the world stop to admire what the Jewish people are doing in their tiny slice of the world to improve the entire planet. Israel is quickly becoming the world leader in the life sciences, creating life-enhancing drugs like Copaxone, which helps those who suffer from multiple sclerosis.
While Israeli scientists are hard at work pushing the envelope on what’s possible, some in the Arab world are busy finding ways to tear all that down –– building nuclear bombs and sponsoring international terror.
On 9/11 I’ll be watching as Israeli companies deliver presentations, sit on panel discussions and seek strategic partners in Maryland. I’m sure in some part of the Arab world there will be a celebration of the carnage their brothers delivered seven years ago.
It will be comforting to be with fellow Jews who combine business acumen and tikkun olam on a day when our enemies will be looking to the past. It’s a sad contrast for the Arab people and yet another reminder of how Jewish values and being Jewish are so important in the 21st century.