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Eli Chalouh Obituary
Fluent in Arabic, Hebrew and English, Eli Chalouh, 23, moved easily among the diverse communities to which his languages gave him access. He spoke Arabic at home, of course: he moved here with his family from Damascus, Syria, when he was 14.
At his new job at the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, in the World Trade Center, he spoke Arabic with his Egyptian colleagues, who got a kick out of him. Mr. Chalouh was not Muslim; he was a Syrian Jew, who learned Hebrew at the yeshiva he attended in Brooklyn.
America was the country he wanted to wrap his future around. He was always in a rush, determined to cram every moment with English studies and other courses: he was so disciplined that he allotted himself only 15 minutes of television at night.
His efforts were beginning to pay off. He had just graduated with near-perfect grades from Long Island University, a member of the honor society and voted by the faculty the most outstanding accounting student of 2001.
Industrious, yes, but enormously sunny and engaging, as well. "Whatever you asked him he would do, and whatever you wouldn't ask, he would volunteer to do," said a supervisor at work, Eddie Jaeger. "He was an unbelievably nice kid."
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Joyce Chalouh
September 11, 2024
I love you Eli is my cousin and I never got to see him I’ve been talking about him a lot. I miss him so much.
Beverly Chalouh
September 11, 2024
Eli was my uncle and never so him but I love him Beverly Chalouh
Cindy Roe
September 4, 2021
Remembering Eli on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
Del Newberry
September 16, 2020
It is so horribly sad that the world lost this brilliant, nice man at such an early age. I pause today to reflect on my own life and how little I have done compared to Eli. I pause today to pray for Eli's family and friends, I ask God to give them a special kind of encouragement today as we remember him.
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September 11, 2020
I don’t have a lot to say. I didn’t get to meet you but you are part of my family and I do cry whenever I see your name. We all miss you
The Kindred Family
December 26, 2019
Our thoughts of deep sympathy we send to your family. Eli is still very sadly missed and is not forgotten. May the time finally come when these violent acts that cause so much pain and heartache are forever ended.
Elan Chalouh
July 8, 2019
Eli was my uncle. I never got to seehim or meet him. I see his picture every day. I always look up to him. If only I can see.him in real life.
Danny Chalouh
May 30, 2019
he is my second cousin i always wanted to meet him but i never got an answer rest in peace Eli i will miss you
Haim Chalouh
September 11, 2017
We will never forget you your light shine on us for ever and ever until we meet
Lynn Hooser
September 11, 2013
I received a seedling in your memory today. I will plant it and nurture it to honor you and your family.
Lynn Scaglione
September 11, 2013
Dearest Eli - It's hard to believe that you've been gone for 12 years now. Rest in peace and watch over all of us.
Jennifer Miers
September 12, 2010
To Eli's family and friends,
You do not know us..but yesterday we found Eli's balloon floating near the site of the World Trade Centers and I felt compelled to write.
We were visiting Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken yesterday for my daughters birthday...finished early when the kids decided they wanted to tour NYC in the time we had left. Being aware that it was 9/11 I was cautious to steer clear of the 'Ground Zero' site as I was concerned about crowds. We got lost and just started driving..we hit all green lights and commented that it was as if we were being drawn somewhere...when we hit the first red light we looked up and we were right at ground zero....I tried NUMEROUS times to navigate away from the site but kept ending up right back at ground zero. The kids noticed lots of white dots high in the sky and it became apparent that there must have been a balloon launch ealier in the day. The kids were between 6 and 12 and I used the time to talk to them about what happened on that horrible day. As I was still trying to find my way out of that area we came down a uncrowded street an a lone balloon floated RIGHT TO MY DRIVERS WINDOW...it was Eli's balloon. We brought it into the car and were immediately able to find our way out of the city. After we got home we went on line and learned about your Eli.
Although we don't know you and didn't know him we feel extremely saddened by the loss of such a wonderful young man. We will now always remember him on 9/11 and say a prayer for you and for him. We wish you peace and love.
Jen Miers
Easton Pa
DAVID SITT
March 2, 2009
DEAR ELI
I REMEMBER SITTING NEXT TO YOU IN CLASS THROUGHOUT THE 4 YEARS IN HIGH SCHOOL.YOU WERE KIND SMART AND CARING.YOU STOOD OUT FROM THE REST.NO WONDER GOD TOOK YOU SO EARLY,YOU ARE A SPECIAL SOUL.
YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE NOW .PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF US AND THE COMING OF THE MASHIACH.
LOVE YOU R FRIEND DAVID SITT
Doug Abraham
January 6, 2009
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Sam Anonymous
June 11, 2007
I am tearing as I read this... I known eli since he was in highschool. what can I say Great Guy VERY smart I would never forget the day I walked into his house to find his diplomas hung on the wall.. every year when they say the names of the 9.11 victims I wait especially for his to come so I can remember and pay respects in his honor.. I wish his family the best and may his legacy and all of who vanished with him never be forgotten
Kristine
October 19, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Rafi Salameh
September 14, 2006
dear Eli Chalouh i didnt really get to meet you but i know for a fact that you are a great person because i have met all of your cousins and i know that there all just like you may you rest in peace and watch out for us and all off your family from up above REST IN PEACE ELI WE ALL LOVE YOU
Jack Chalouh
September 14, 2006
Eli was my first cousin and was a great guy. he was a big loss to our family and we love him so much.I hope he's watching over us and helping us stay out of trouble.
love you always,
Jack Chalouh
P Tabbernor
September 9, 2006
In memory....
charles tebele
September 11, 2005
much respect to the family of eli us jewish brothers must feel the pain of eacother may hashem bless Eli and his family and all the jewish people who died that day amen!
Ralph Chalouh
November 27, 2003
Dear brother, friend, mentor,
I miss you so much. I was never able to write anything. some how I couldnt get my self to say anything. As much as I would liked to, but I couldnt. Eli was the man. I was lucky enough to be close with him. We were year and a half apart. Every sunday I use to go with Eli to a Starbucks in Downtown Manhattan. We use to talk about our week and if anything intersting happend to either of us. One sunday we happen to walk by WTC. Eli said something that I would never forget " what if we had a case of emergency, how are we to get out? I told Eli you need not to worry, I am sure that they thought of a way to get the people out in case of an emergency. Well guess I was wrong. I was so wrong to the extant that I hold my self responsible of what happen to him. My answer should've been " why dont you discuss this matter with your boss." Currently I am 23 years old and my dear wife is due in couple of months. I took it upon my self to name my first babyboy child after Eli. His name was Eli Joseph Chalouh and gd willingly I'll will name my son Eli Joseph Chalouh. My whole life have changed. I've to where to turn for an advice. Eli where ever you are, please watch over me and I pray to gd everyday to elevate your spirt higher and higher. Love Ralph J. Chalouh
sylvia Elart
October 8, 2002
eli was my cousin he was a great cousin we grew up together and he was a great guy it is true what everyone say about him he always used to help and even though the last few years we lost touch the day i found out that he was missing i felt as if it was my own brother was missing because he was just like brother to me. i still feel that he is still alife and i pray every day that he will come back to his family because we miss him so much. i would like to thank everyone for all the nice thinks that they said about my cousin and i hope that no one will ever loose any of their family member no matter what race, or religion you are. because every person belongs to a family and people that love him and no one should feel the pain that my family feels.
missing you alot
you're cousin
sylvia
Ely R. Levy
September 12, 2002
I had the pleasure of attending high school with Eli. He was a great person, a person who was always smiling, always willing to lend a helping hand. A month before the tragedy occurred, I was fortunate enough to bump into Eli in downtown Manhattan. We spoke about things and then decided we would grab a quick lunch together. We sat at a kosher deli and he was telling me how he was happy at his new job with the tax department at the WTC. I remember saying to myself, "here is a guy who fled Syria to find a better life in a free country, and he successfully made the transtition." At that moment I was proud of Eli. I knew he was destined for success. I will never forget the lunch I had with Eli, or the good times we had in high school. Having experienced Eli first hand in a formal school environment, it was apparent to all of his peers that he was an individual with a superior intellect --and by a wide margin. He was an individual who I was fortunate to encounter. His loss is one of greatest proportions. My warmest condolences to his family and loved ones.
Shlomo Benzaquen
September 11, 2002
To the Chalouh family,
Hamakom Yenachem Etchem B'Toch Sha'ar Evlei Zion VeYerushalayim!
You should know no more pain and sorrow.
B'Ahavat Yisrael
ruthie
September 11, 2002
May the family be comforted in knowing that eli was a great person and he is definetly watching over us and enjoying his rewards in olam habah.
Cayla Fencl
September 11, 2002
To Eli Chalouh's Family:
Hello, I am Cayla Fencl and I am 15 years old. As a memorium this September 11th my highschool has handed out wrist bands that contain one victim from that day. My wrist band contained your son's name. I am very sorry for your loss and i know he will be looking down on you during good times and bad times. I hope that our country never experiences a loss like that one again. I hope that your family is doing okay.
Victor Levy
September 11, 2002
Though I never had the pleasure to know you personally, on behalf of the
Syrian community we are sorry for losing you and our deepest condolences go
out to your family.
Linda Ashkenazie
September 11, 2002
To Eli's Family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I went to High School with Eli and only have great things to say about him. May Hashem bless you with health, happiness and better things for the future.
Diane
September 11, 2002
My deepest sympathies to Eli's family. I went to high school with him and he was always nice and friendly. I am not surprised to hear he excelled in his studies at LIU, he was very studious even then
Once again, I am very sorry for your loss.
Victor Levy
September 11, 2002
Though I never had the pleasure to know you personally, on behalf of the Syrian community we are sorry for losing you and our deepest condolences go out to your family.
terri stratenberger
September 9, 2002
im so sorry for your loss,,may god bless your family,,,
Meital
June 23, 2002
To Eli...
My Best Friend...There was soo much left unsaid..I know you're watching over me...G-d, Please watch over his family. Eli, you took a peice of me with you, and words cant explain how much i miss you.
Lucy
June 8, 2002
Eli sounds like a great person & friend. Sorry for your loss.
Binyamin McKemie
February 5, 2002
May your dear ones left behind be comforted among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Teresa Jahn
January 6, 2002
We are very sorry for your loss of Eli. May his sunny attitude, his determination, life and love live on in those who love him. Our hearts cry with you in your great loss of Eli.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
December 21, 2001
DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN BLESS ELI CHALOUH
AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE..GOD BLESS
HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS
AMERICA AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET
9/11/01
Lucas Bernard
December 6, 2001
In memory of Eli Chalouh, an A+ student in my statistics class at LIU during the summer of 2001.
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