An Event to Remember

The evening was billed as a night of hope and healing, and so it seemed inside the First Congregational Church of Montclair, as each contributor to Montclair Remembers 9/11 proffered an offering of beauty and optimism on a day that may have otherwise seemed rather bleak.

The event was the brainchild of Frank Hentschker, according to Gina Auriemma who, along with Chris Kunstadter, Mark Porter and Diana Stewart, organized the evening. "We wanted a way to celebrate an evening of hope on the anniversary night of such a tragedy," said Auriemma. "We wanted a way to bring the community together. A looking forward rather than a looking back."

Each participant had his or her own way of delivering on that idea.

“I wanted to write something personal, how everyone has a unique way that they love another individual. I was trying to celebrate loving those who are gone forever and loving those who are here right now,” said singer/songwriter Scott E. Moore of his song Nobody Loves You Like Me, which he performed on acoustic guitar.

The evening was full of big talent, beginning with the choral music by Schola Cantorum on Hudson led by the group’s Artistic Director, Deborah Simpkin King. The group performed with a piano accompanist and included one particularly moving piece — a 9/11 widow who took the podium to share her remembrance of that morning, recounting what she imagined her husband was doing at his desk at 9 a.m.: having his breakfast; drinking his juice. Her poise created exactly the atmosphere of hope that set the stage for an uplifting evening of music, words and poetry.

Diane Moser, on piano, and Tom Colao, on sax, performed John Coltrane’s “Dear Lord” and the Jazz House Kids ensemble (Jack Ferguson, Julian Lee, Matthew Lee, Joe Obadia, Rahsaan Pickett, Wallace Roney Jr., and Alex Warshawsky) delivered “Peace” by Horace Silver—both pieces demonstrating that the joy and beauty of jazz is only enhanced by the quiet sadness at its core.

Actor Frankie Faison read a poem by Martin Espada, “Alabanza: In Praise of Local 100,” about the food service workers who died in the Twin Towers that day.

Rex Fowler and Stuart Kabec performed “Tower of Love” and the Montclair High School a capella chorus (Desiree Bannister, Spencer Bokat-Lindell, Jonah Fried, Molly Grund, Elena, Juliano, Amelia Parker, Jami Price and Inayah Turner) sang “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”

The music was both soothing and healing and those who spoke were inspirational. 

Journalist Jonathan Alter compared the decade since 9/11 to the 10 years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor (1941 -1951) during which we “crushed fascism” and created both the United Nations and the GI Bill. Alter lamented that we “haven’t moved forward at the same pace” and challenged us to do better for our society and our world.

“Let’s resolve that when we meet in 2021, to again commemorate Sept. 11th, that we’ll have more to redeem, more to show for who we are at our very best," he said. "Not just in a single terrifying moment, but in every ordinary day of our lives.”

Mayor Jerry Fried said that 9/11 taught us that we never know what’s going to happen, so we must prepare ourselves. His advice: “Prepare yourself for the greatest possible joy. The most profound truth or revelation. The most poignant experience of beauty. The deepest possible love. This is the most valuable lesson we can learn and teach our children: That the goal is not just a life of prosperity, but also of truth, beauty community and love.”

Reverend Ann Ralosky, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Montclair, took the stage with other members of the Montclair Clergy Association and spoke about creating a community where hope is stronger than fear. “We cannot do that without remembering,” she said, adding that remembering is an essential part of healing.

Diana Stewart, who lost her husband, Michael Stewart, and was there to “represent Montclair’s 9/11 families,” brought a picture of her late husband — a rugby player — and displayed it on the stage. She also brought other pictures, drawings she received from children around the country. And she brought quilts that were sent to her by strangers.  She brought ceramics and other offerings. She described these gifts as “what justice looks like. People trying to make things right.” Stewart talked about how justice and hope are intermingled. “Without a plan, people perish, so let us plan,” she said.

Stewart then reminded the audience of some of those in need: people struggling from the hurricane, children who have suffered the loss of a parent or caregiver, people who rely on local food pantries for help, elderly people who are alone and lonely.

“Ten years ago, on Sept. 12, we got mad and we got moving.  Tomorrow, let’s start living in overt hope," she said. "Let’s do what we can and be relentless. You can be sure, your hope will spread.”