Abraham Zelmanowitz

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Abraham Zelmanowitz (also known as Abe, Avrame, and Avremel) was an Orthodox Jew who worked as a computer programmer for Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield on the 27th floor of the World Trade Center in New York City. Zelmanowitz's death was used by George W. Bush in a speech to the United States Congress to help rationalize and justify the invasion of Afghanistan.

One of his best friends was co-worker and fellow computer programmer Ed Beyea, who was a quadriplegic. With the elevators not working after the attack, Beyea had no way of getting out. Rather than go down the stairs and try to save himself, Zelmanowitz chose to stay with his friend, and presumably comfort him until the bitter end (many believe they prayed together during those final moments as well; as Beyea was a devout Roman Catholic).

Zelmanowitz called his family on his cell phone, telling them he was OK, and insisting that he would stay by Beyea's side, though his mother and brother pleaded with him to get out. This was done in spite of the fact that Judaism rejects the notion of giving one's life simply to comfort a fellow human being; however, some observers say that Zelmanowitz may not have realized his life was in danger until it was too late and was simply waiting for himself and Beyea to be rescued.

The story is one of several vignettes interwoven throughout "September 11, 2001: Profiles in Heroism", a 26-minute documentary about the September 11, 2001 attacks that looks at the attacks through the eyes of several Orthodox Jews.

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