Family and Friends,
I just received this e-mail from a  girlfriend of mine and wanted to share her first hand accounts with you.   It put a lump in my throat and brought tears to my eyes.  I ache for those  people, all people, our nation and our world.  May God bless you, and  may you feel blessed each and every day by his presence!   
Love,
Robyn
 
----- Original Message -----  
From: Joyce  Zylberberg   
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 7:08 AM
Subject: Update
Hi,
First, let me thank you again  for your thoughts and concerns.  
I did make it out of the city for a  long weekend and truly got to unwind.  Many people out in the Hamptons are  contributing to the cause in several ways and like the rest of the country the  mood is somber. However, life is still beautiful there.  I rode my bicycle  everyday, canoed, walked on the beach and went to interesting dinners.  But  then I came back.  The bus I was on was stopped and searched before  entering the Midtown tunnel, which leads into the city.   Everyone,  including the driver was asked for picture ID.  I came back because Monday  evening started the Jewish New Year and I had dinner with my family in the city.   After dinner, my brother-in-law, my cousin (visiting from Israel) and I  went downtown to ground zero.  It is off limits to anyone other than the  military, firefighters and the police, but I got this unique opportunity to  enter the belly of the beast because my friend who has a restaurant down in  Tribeca set up a hot meal zone in one of the damaged buildings.  He and his  staff are the only non officials allowed there.  I went to help serve.   Getting down was a struggle in itself.  I passed through many  blockades guarded by the military, and finally had a police escort get me all  the way down.  No matter how I describe what I saw, I couldn't possibly  give an accurate picture of the devastation.  The only thing I can tell you  is that it is so much larger in life.  The piece of facade of one of the  towers that you have seen on the news and in all the papers spans one full city  block.  There were firefighting crews from California, Ohio, Indiana and  more.  I spoke with many. 
Yesterday I went to synagogue.  The  experience was intense.  We waited on a line that went around the block  before going through metal detectors to get in.  I sat next to a Managing  Director of Cantor Fitzgerald, who was late to work on Tuesday.  He lost  all 200 of his staff as well as 500 who did not work directly for him.  The  woman in front of me lost her son.  We had several firefighters visit the  temple and, as you can imagine, they walked into a full five minutes of cheers  and applause.  It was so touching.  No dry eyes.
I realize I'm  rambling but thought you might be interested in a first hand account.
All  my best to you,
Joyce
Joyce Zylberberg
tel: 212 661-3580
cel: 917  837-0073
joycetz@mindspring.com