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]
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]
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]
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]