The Rabbi of Ground Zero

A Chaplain's Recollections of 9-11

Colonel Jacob Z. Goldstein of the New York Army National Guard recalls the fateful events of September 11th as he tended to the spiritual needs at the site of the fallen towers and his experiences during the four and a half months he spent at Ground Zero. (Many viewers may find details described to be extremely disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.)

3:18

Called to Duty

Receiving the Call from the National Command Center

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

The National Guard is mobilized and Col. Goldstein is told to report to the site of the World Trade Center.

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2:57

Arriving at Ground Zero

Buildings Were Still On Fire

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

Col. Goldstein describes the scene at the site of the World Trade Center when he arrived.

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2:23

Where Are the Survivors?

Trying to Make Order Amid Chaos

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

Col. Goldstein first realizes that no survivors are coming out of the fallen buildings.

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3:29

Rosh Hashanah at Ground Zero

Prayers and Sounding the Shofar

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

A Jewish woman goes looking for services on Rosh Hashanah and hears the shofar at Ground Zero.

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1:54

Chief Chaplain of Ground Zero

How Did a Rabbi Get the Job?

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

How did Col. Goldstein come to be charged with the responsibility of being the chief chaplain at Ground Zero?

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3:18

Looking for Survivors

Families of Victims Arrive at the Scene

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

What happened when the families of the victims started to show up at Ground Zero in search of their loved ones.

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2:39

A Yarmulka in the Rubble

Trying to Track a Victim's Identity

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

A soldier discovers a yarmulka among the rubble at Ground Zero and brings it to Col. Goldstein.

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2:51

"This Was My Parade"

A Vietnam Vet at Ground Zero

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

Why did a veteran soldier disobey Col. Goldstein's orders while driving from the scene of Ground Zero?

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2:16

The "Religion Corner"

A Makeshift Chapel in the Rubble

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

The authorities almost close down Col. Goldstein's makeshift "religion corner" -- an area of a collapsed subway station divided off with sheets of plywood.

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1:34

A Sukkah at Ground Zero

Celebrating the Holiday of Sukkot

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

How a two and a half ton Army truck was turned into a mobile sukkah.

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6:06

Kaddish at Ground Zero

Remembering a Fallen Hero of 9-11

By Colonel Jacob Goldstein

A family says kaddish at Ground Zero for their loved one who died trying to save a coworker during the attack. The story of 9-11 hero, Abraham Zelmanowitz.

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