Devorah Halberstam

Devorah Halberstam is an American political activist who rose to prominence following the murder of her son Ari in 1994. This has led to recognition and prominence deemed unusual for a Hasidic woman.[1] Several years after the FBI's re-classification of the shooting from an act of road rage to an act of terrorism, Halberstam was awarded with the FBI's New York Division's Director's Community Leadership Award in 2009.[2] Former Governor George Pataki cited the Halberstams’ efforts in his quest to have the death penalty restored.[3] She, together with Governor George Pataki and other officials, was instrumental in enacting the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001, the first of its kind in New York State.[4]

Halberstam is the mother of 5 children, 2 daughters and 3 sons, of whom Ari was eldest.[5][6]

Halberstam is one of the founders of the Jewish Children's Museum, which was dedicated in the memory of her son.[7][8] Halberstam is the museum's director of External Affairs. The museum promotes tolerance by educating children about Jews and Jewish culture.[9][8]

She is noted for her work as an educator on the dangers of antisemitic terrorism.[10][1]

Halberstam is an advocate for gun control.[11][12][1] She advocated for Ari's Law which prohibits interstate gun trafficking.[13]

Awards

Halberstam is the recipient of numerous awards including the FBI Community Leadership Award,[14][15] Top Brooklyn Businesswomen Networking Award, Con Edison's Brooklyn Women of Distinction Award, and was a nominee for the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

References
  1. Heilman, Uriel (2014-02-27). "Devorah Halberstam's path from bereaved mother to counterterrorism authority". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  2. "Devorah Halberstam Honored at Director's Community Leadership Award Ceremony at FBI New York". FBI. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  3. Dao, James (1995-03-08). "Death penalty in New York reinstated after 18 Years; Pataki sees Justice Served". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  4. "Devorah Halberstam Honored at Director's Community Leadership Award Ceremony at FBI New York". FBI. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  5. Jonathan Mark (4 April 2006). "Ari, Alisa And Memories In The Morning". New York Jewish Week. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  6. Weiner, Robert (4 May 2016). "Mother of terror victim issues plea for tolerance". New Jersey Jewish News. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  7. Otterman, Sharon (5 June 2019). "Swastikas and Burning Pride Flags: Hate Crimes Spike in N.Y." New York Times. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  8. "Mother Reflects On Terror Attack That Killed Ari Halberstam, 25 Years Later". WCBS. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  9. Adler, Amber (4 April 2019). "Brooklyn DA and NYPD Hold Hate Crimes Forum". Hamodia. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  10. Roberts, Sam (28 December 2009). "How to Find the Bridge? First, Pay Your Respects". New York Times. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  11. "I know too well what guns can do". New York Daily News. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  12. Joe Nocera (2 March 2013). "The Gun Report: March 2, 2013". New York Times. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  13. "New York City, NY". FBI. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  14. "Devorah Halberstam Honored at Director's Community Leadership Award Ceremony at FBI New York". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  15. Tanenbaum, Yonit (15 December 2009). "FBI Cites N.Y. Mother for Anti-Terror Fight". Chabad.org. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
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