Today is the 10th anniversary of the deadly attacks on our country on Sept. 11, 2001. On that day, thousands of American lives were extinguished by suicidal Islamic fanatics driven by a vengeful and fanatical hatred of America.

The Birmingham Jewish Federation remains committed to doing all we can to promote all that is good about America and to educate our community about the dark forces of radical Islam still working to destroy us.

This is a day for the American people to come together; to put aside our personal and political differences, and remember, with resolve, that dark and tragic day 10 years ago. We all continue to carry a sadness as the victims and their families, some in our own Jewish community, remain in our hearts.

Rabbi Eytan Yammer, of Birmingham's Knesseth Israel Congregation, had a moving piece in the Viewpoints section of today's Birmingham News tied to the 9/11 remembrance.

"On Sept. 11, 2001, I had the eerie experience of being in the only vehicle on the George Washington Bridge traveling into New York City. A cursory look at my emergency management technician credentials was all that it took to allow me entrance into the injured city," writes Rabbi Yammer.

"The highway leading to the World Trade Center was lined three deep on either side with people begging. They begged for us to give them hope: 'Is it possible for anyone to still be alive?' They begged to give us prayers and they blessed us as we passed; they begged to feed us sandwiches. They begged for us to give them strength, they begged for us to accept their hugs, their tears and their love."

Early Saturday morning, Israeli time, a complex rescue operation was safely completed to free the staff of the Israeli Embassy in Cairo after a mob of Egyptians attacked the embassy.

"The saga began on Friday at 6:30 p.m., when a mob that reportedly numbered some 5,000 people congregated outside the building that houses the embassy, which was closed at the time, but which was being guarded inside by six security guards," reported the Jerusalem Post.

"The crowd started demolishing the wall that was erected recently around the building, and by 12:30 a.m. made it into the embassy where they broke into the consular section and the embassy's archive, setting fires and breaking windows. With the Arab television networks filming, the Israeli flag was pulled down and set aflame, to cheers from the throng below," added the Post.

"Israeli officials said the six trapped embassy staff members were rescued by Egyptian commandos early Saturday morning, after hours when Egyptian military and security forces had appeared to stand idle on the sidelines for fear of confronting the mob," according to the New York Times.

"DECISIVE, FATEFUL MOMENT"

In a statement after the rescue, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Obama for his help.

"I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the United States, Barack Obama," said Netanyahu. "I asked for his help. This was a decisive and fateful moment. He said, 'I will do everything I can.' And so he did. He used every considerable means and influence of the United States to help us. We owe him a special measure of gratitude."

"This attests to the strong alliance between Israel and the United States," Netanyahu continued. "This alliance between Israel and the United States is especially important in these times of political storms and upheavals in the Middle East."

The Birmingham Jewish Federation also thanks President Obama for his assistance. If you would like to join Prime Minister Netanyahu in thanking the President, click here.

Photo is of protester holding the Egyptian national flag as a fire burns outside the building housing the Israeli Embassy in Cairo. (Associated Press photo from New York Times)

The below was forwarded to us by Jewish community member Judy Luks. It is from Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), one of the 32 agencies and programs funded by The Birmingham Jewish Federation Annual Campaign.

"Hooray for the FIDF!!! I feel so proud that our BJF gives to this wonderful organization!" wrote Judy. Here's an edited version of what FIDF sent out:

A record 104 new Israel Defense Forces "Lone Soldiers" made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel) recently on a jumbo charter flight sponsored by FIDF. Lone Soldiers refers to men and women serving in the Israeli army who do not have family in Israel.

A 747 jumbo charter Aliyah flight arrived in Tel Aviv from JFK airport in August, carrying 360 North Americans moving to Israel. The flight, sponsored by Friends of the IDF (FIDF), was organized by Nefesh B'Nefesh and the Jewish Agency (another Federation funded agency), in cooperation with Israel's Ministry of Immigrant Absorption.

Among the 132 singles on board the flight, were 104 young men and women who will be joining the IDF in the coming months.

This is the second year that FIDF and Nefesh B'Nefesh have partnered together to help newly arrived soldiers with their transition into their new lives in Israel and national service. As a result of this partnership, these Lone Soldiers receive additional assistance, including financial grants, social support, quarterly care packages and post-army integrative services, including educational guidance, career counseling and job placement.

There have been at least six Lone Soldiers from Birmingham. In addition to the services highlighted above, the Jewish Agency, with funding from The BJF and other Jewish Federations, also provides services to Lone Soldiers.

Above graphic is from FIDF.