Union Square by Abraham Menashe - Part 1

Introduction

On September 11th 2001, an act of terrorism destroyed two tall towers in New York 

City while thousands of civilians were trapped inside. This catastrophe left the 

American heart profoundly wounded, yet ignited a fierce national pride along with a

resolve to embrace life fully. The images in this essay focus on the emotions of 

the living and bear witness to their grief and aspirations in the weeks that

followed.  

Most of the photographs were made in Union Square, where memorial candles burned 

and flyers with faces of the missing were posted. New Yorkers gathered there to 

walk in silence, offer flowers, and absorb the immensity of this event. The 

solemnity of the activities transformed the square into hallowed ground, giving 

people permission to cry and hug one another there.

As the vigil continued, citizens from across the country came to pay homage, to 

pray, and tape life-affirming messages on the surrounding fences. Thousands of 

candles burned twenty-four hours a day infusing the air with the heavy scent of 

melting wax. The odor took me to Portugal, where I had been years earlier 

photographing pilgrims who lit candles and prayed for healing at the shrine of 

Fatima.

Emigrants make up the fabric of America. Whatever their country of origin or 

individual belief, once here, they are integrated into the American family. 

When this massacre occurred, every person experienced a direct loss, as if a 

member of their own family was among the dead. The overwhelming majority of 

casualties were civilians—nationals of over 90 countries. The attack was not 

against America but against the global human family.

As the towers fell, New Yorkers rose up. This extraordinary event unleashed 

expressions of civility and philanthropy that were truly transforming. While we 

may not comprehend the forces that cause men, in their prime, to incinerate their 

bodies along with thousands of innocent civilians, we take comfort in the 

countless acts of generosity and kindness displayed by ordinary people in the 

aftermath of this tragedy. With each new hour, yet another story emerges of how 

one individual made a difference in the life of another. Each deed, let loose by 

the better angels of our nature, is a victory over fear, and affirms a power far 

greater than the darkness of that horrific Tuesday. The effects of this collective 

goodness continues to eclipse the dark clouds of that day.

These photographs were made in honor of this human nobility, and as such, form a 

prayer, reminding us that life is exquisitely fragile. Through simple deeds of 

kindness we honor the fallen heroes, sanctify the memory of the innocent, and

mend a broken world.

Abraham Menashe
New York City, 2001

Union Square; A Harvest of Grief and Hope
Abraham Menashe
Xlibris, © 2001
www.humanistic-photography.com

Over the next four days leading up to the 10-yr anniversary of 9/11 we will present more 

photographs from this series.