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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "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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