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The 9/11 Memorial in Jerusalem: A Unique Tribute in the Judean Hills

  • Writer: Sagi Haim Levy
    Sagi Haim Levy
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

High in the rolling green hills of the Arazim Valley, just a few minutes outside the Jerusalem city limits, stands one of the most moving monuments in the country. The 9/11 Living Memorial Cenotaph is a testament to the shared values of resilience and remembrance between Israel and the United States. It is a place of profound quiet, where the landscape of the Judean Hills provides a backdrop for reflection. For travelers on an Israel private tour, this site offers a unique opportunity to honor history in a setting that feels both global and deeply personal.



Visitor Info - 9/11 Living Memorial

  • Opening Hours: The memorial is located in a public park and is open 24/7.

  • Tickets: Entry is Free.

  • Top Tip: The memorial is best reached by private car or as part of a guided tour, as public transportation to this specific part of the valley is limited. It is a perfect stop when leaving Jerusalem toward Tel Aviv or the airport. Bring a camera—the view of the valley from the memorial plaza is stunning.

  • Map: Click here for the Google Maps location


A large crowd attending a ceremony at the 9/11 Living Memorial in the Judean Hills. Hundreds of people seated in a stone amphitheater facing the bronze flag sculpture and the surrounding forest.
U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, CC BY 4.0 httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

5 Places of Interest at the 9/11 Memorial

1. The Bronze Flame Sculpture

The centerpiece of the memorial is a 30-foot bronze sculpture that depicts the American flag transforming into a flickering flame. The sculpture is dynamic, appearing to "wave" in the wind of the Judean Hills.

  • Symbolism: It represents the endurance of the human spirit and the light that emerges even from the darkest moments of history.


2. The Twin Towers Steel

If you look at the base of the flame, you will see a piece of actual melted steel recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center in New York.

  • Significance: This relic was gifted by the City of New York to the people of Israel, physically connecting the two locations across thousands of miles.


3. The Wall of Names

Surrounding the circular plaza is a glass-and-stone wall that lists the names of all 2,977 victims of the attacks. It is the only memorial outside of the United States to include every single name, including the five Israeli citizens who perished.


4. The Reflective Plaza

The memorial is built in the shape of a circular amphitheater, providing a sense of embrace and community. The design allows for small ceremonies and quiet moments of individual prayer or contemplation.


5. The Arazim Valley Viewpoint

The memorial was strategically placed to overlook the Arazim Valley. The surrounding park (part of the Jerusalem Forest) is filled with hiking trails and cedar trees, making the monument feel like a natural part of the "Living" landscape.


5 Did You Know? Facts About the Jerusalem 9/11 Memorial

  1. A Global First: While there are many 9/11 memorials worldwide, this is the only one outside the US that lists every victim's name.

  2. Architectural Vision: The site was designed by award-winning Israeli artist Eliezer Weishoff and commissioned by the JNF (Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael).

  3. A Shared Tragedy: The memorial specifically honors the five Israeli citizens who lost their lives in the attacks, emphasizing the shared bond between the two nations.

  4. Strategic Placement: It was built in 2009 in a location that provides a clear "eye-line" toward the entrance of the city, serving as a silent guardian of memory for those entering Jerusalem.

  5. A Living Forest: The memorial is part of the larger "Jerusalem Green Belt," a massive project to reforest the hills surrounding the city with millions of trees.




Perfect Pairings: 5 Highlights Nearby

  • Ein Kerem: A picturesque village known as the birthplace of John the Baptist, famous for its churches and boutique cafes.

  • The Castel National Park: A significant War of Independence battle site with trenches and incredible views of the road to Jerusalem.

  • Yad Vashem: Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, located just 10 minutes away.

  • The Monastery of the Cross: A medieval fortress-monastery tucked away in the Valley of the Cross.

  • Mount Herzl: Israel’s national cemetery and the site of the Herzl Museum.



Beyond the bronze and stone lies a story waiting to be decoded. Beyond a tour, this is an excavation of history and spirit, bridging the monumental tributes of the past with your own personal discovery in the profound silence of the Judean Hills.



Join the thousands of visitors and friends of Israel who have stood in this quiet valley to honor a shared history and the unbreakable bond between two nations at Jerusalem’s 9/11 Living Memorial.



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