NYPD Commissioner Visits Grave of Ari Halberstam on Anniversary of Attack

New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea joined community activist Devorah Halberstam for a somber visit to the Rebbe's Ohel and the gravesite of her son Ari Halberstam, murdered in a terrorist attack on the Brooklyn Bridge 27 years ago. Full Story, Photos, Video

March 2, 2021 – 18 Adar 5781

By COLlive reporter

Today, the 18th of Adar, marks the 27th anniversary of the terror attack on the Brooklyn Bridge, in which Ari Halberstam HYD was murdered when a terrorist opened fire on a van carrying Halberstam and a group of bochurim.

Even though 27 years have gone by, the anniversary remains especially hard for Ari’s mother, Devorah Halberstam, today a community activist and law enforcement expert in Crown Heights.

“Now, I think about the grandchildren I won’t have from Ari, the life that he just couldn’t have,” said Halberstam, an honorary NYPD Commissioner. “I mean, he was 16 years old. He’s frozen in time for me,” she said in an interview today with NY 1.

Since her son’s death, Halberstam has become a tireless activist against terrorism and hate crimes. She spent the anniversary of Ari’s shooting delivering a Zoom lecture to Brooklyn prosecutors, advocating for crime victims.

Paying his respects on Tuesday, New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea joined Devorah Halberstam for a somber visit to the Rebbe’s Ohel and the gravesite of Ari Halberstam.

The Commissioner was greeted by Rabbi Abba Refson, Director of Ohel Chabad Lubavitch.

Commissioner Shea and Devorah Halberstam then sat privately to write a pan, and Halberstam told the Commissioner all about Ari’s special connection with the Rebbe, and about the writing of a Pan and requesting blessings.

The Commissioner read in prayers in English, and placed his Pan note in the Ohel.

The two then visited the gravesite Ari Halberstam, where Devorah explained the writing on the Matzeiva.

They also visited the graves of the Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, and others.

“The Commissioner was very touched by the visit, and said he realizes that there is more than we just see,” Halberstam said. “I showed him the Rebbe’s mother’s gravesite, and told him that I always tell Rebbetzin Chana, who is buried across from Ari: My son died for your son, the Rebbe – please watch over his family.”