Jon and Caleigh Leiken

  • Witness
  • Spanish Language

Former Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and his daughter, Caleigh, who was born in New York City on 9/11 after his wife evacuated lower Manhattan.

Webinar 2020 in Spanish

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This story was filmed as part of our Anniversary in the Schools program, which introduces students to first-person accounts of the 9/11 attacks. Participate in this year’s free program by completing this registration form.

Teaching Guides

Find tailored questions below for teaching this story.

As you listen to Jon and Caleigh’s stories, think about the following questions:

  • Jon and his wife, Erika, felt scared at the beginning of the story. How did they feel at the end?
  • After Jon told his friends and family the story of Caleigh’s birth, he said, “We all started to heal a little bit that day.” Why do you think Caleigh’s story helped them heal?
  • Last year, Caleigh led an assembly at her school to honor the anniversary of 9/11. What could you do in your school or with your family to remember the events of that day?

As you listen to Jon and Caleigh’s stories, think about the following questions:

  • What obstacles did Jon and his wife, Erika, overcome leading up to Caleigh’s birth?
  • When Jon describes sharing the story of Caleigh’s birth with friends and family, he says, “We all started to heal a little bit that day.” Why do you think Caleigh’s story helped them heal?
  • Last year, Caleigh led an assembly at her school to honor the anniversary of 9/11. What could you do in your community to remember the events of that day? 

As you listen to Jon and Caleigh’s stories, consider the following questions:

  • What obstacles did Jon and his wife Erika overcome leading up to Caleigh’s birth?
  • When Jon describes sharing the story of Caleigh’s birth with friends and family, he says, “We all started to heal a little bit that day.” Why do you think Caleigh’s story helped them heal?
  • Last year, Caleigh led an assembly at her school to honor the anniversary of 9/11. What could you do in your community to remember the events of that day?

Additional Resources

To learn more about Caleigh’s experience visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, read her blog post. You can also explore how Caleigh applied the lesson of healing after 9/11 to the current COVID-19 crisis in a new blog post. If you’re interested in more 9/11 witness stories, visit our Webinar Stories archive.