It all seemed as fresh as if it had just happened yesterday and not as if almost ten years had passed since Yonatan and Michael’s older brother Danny had been a passenger aboard American Airlines flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles on September 11 2001. Hijacked in mid-flight the terrorists crashed the plane directly into the northern tower of the World Trade Center killing all eighty-seven passengers and crew members on board not including the five hijackers.

When the Lewins speak of Danny — the first victim of the massive attack — the emotional turbulence is palpable. In a way the clock stopped ticking for them that day.

But when it comes to bin Laden their tone turns to ice.

As long as his evil is perpetuated nothing consoles them. “This is no big deal” Yonatan tells Mishpacha. “A wanted man was found and eliminated and everyone is all excited. The war on terror tolls on and radical Islam remains a threat.”

His mother Dr. Peggy Lewin a well-known Jerusalem pediatrician declined to speak with reporters. Even in the aftermath of the attack and with the ensuing years the family has shied away from publicity. “The media is always probing for soft spots ” says Yonatan. “It’s not our style. This was my brother.”

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