Symbol Steel
- Description
- Star of David forged from steel recovered from the World Trade Center site.
- Historical Notes
- This Star of David was made from World Trade Center steel and presented to Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, an FDNY chaplain who served the Ground Zero community.Â
Curator's Comment
The Star of David, constructed from World Trade Center steel, was presented to Rabbi Joseph Potasnik as a token of appreciation for his work as a chaplain on 9/11 and in its aftermath. The spiritual leader of Congregation Mount Sinai in Brooklyn, Rabbi Potasnik and members of the synagogue aided people fleeing lower Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge, offering water, food, a place to sit down, and help organizing transportation.
Potasnik arrived at the World Trade Center site late in the afternoon of 9/11. In the months that followed, he provided spiritual support to the recovery workers and blessed human remains found in the wreckage.
At the World Trade Center site, some ironworkers created mementos from discarded steel remnants to present to victims’ relatives, humanitarian volunteers, and individuals paying their respects at Ground Zero. Tokens of comfort and gratitude, these steel keepsakes often were formed in the shape of religious symbols such as crosses and Stars of David.
Potasnik arrived at the World Trade Center site late in the afternoon of 9/11. In the months that followed, he provided spiritual support to the recovery workers and blessed human remains found in the wreckage.
At the World Trade Center site, some ironworkers created mementos from discarded steel remnants to present to victims’ relatives, humanitarian volunteers, and individuals paying their respects at Ground Zero. Tokens of comfort and gratitude, these steel keepsakes often were formed in the shape of religious symbols such as crosses and Stars of David.
- Accession Number: C.2011.1278.1
- Dimensions: 30 3/4 in X 12 in X 8.75 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 76.2 cm X 30.48 cm X 22.225 cm
- Source: Rabbi Joseph Potasnik
- Credit Line: Gift of New York Board of Rabbis, Congregation of Mt. Sinai, and Ner Tamid of FDNY
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