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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.[ citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "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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