Abraham Zelmanowitz

Abraham J. Zelmanowitz (December 30, 1945 – September 11, 2001) was an American computer programmer who worked for Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield on the 27th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center in New York City, who died in the collapse of that building during the September 11 attacks in 2001.

September 11 attacks
On September 11, 2001, Abraham Zelmanowitz (who was also known as "Avrame" and "Abe" ) and his co-worker, computer programmer Ed Beyea, a computer programmer at Empire BlueCross BlueShield, were on the 27th floor of the North Tower, waiting for evacuation following the collision of American Airlines Flight 11 with the building. According to Zelmanowitz's sister-in-law Evelyn Zelmanowitz, Beyea, who was one of Zelmanowitz's friends and a quadriplegic, could not evacuate the building on his own, and so Zelmanowitz phoned her at 9:30am and told her over the phone that he would remain with Beyea until a rescue team arrived to help carry Beyea from the building. Both men were killed when the North Tower collapsed.

President Bush mentioned Zelmanowitz's choice (although not Zelmanowitz by name) at the memorial prayer ceremony three days later, describing his action as heroic.

And we have seen our national character in eloquent acts of sacrifice. Inside the World Trade Center, one man, who could have saved himself, stayed until the end at the side of his quadriplegic friend. Nearly one year after his death, Zelmanowitz's remains were positively identified among the debris, and he was brought to the Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery in Jerusalem, where he was interred beside his parents.

At the National 9/11 Memorial, Zelmanowitz is memorialized at the North Pool, on Panel N-65.