By COLlive reporter
Photos: Yossi Jerufi/COLlive
Devorah Halberstam, NYPD Hon. Commissioner for Community Safety, NYPD Chair Civilian Hate Crimes Review Panel, 71st Pct. Clergy Liaison and Director of External Affairs for the Jewish Children’s Museum hosted an elaborate Sukkah celebration with a who’s who of political and top brass leaders with family and friends.
While guests mingled and enjoyed great food, desserts and l’chayims, NYPD Deputy Inspector Richie Taylor of the community affairs outreach division introduced the guests.
Guests included Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Bill Deblasio, Nominee for Mayor Eric Adams, and a slew of prominent Government and community leaders.
Highlights of the evening were words from Gov. Kathy Hochul, who pledged to continue to work along with the Jewish community. She thanked Halberstam for her friendship over the years and bringing people together, and said she will be reaching out to her in the future.
Brooklyn Borough President and Nominee for Mayor Eric Adams spoke about his friendship with Halberstam who has emerged as a leader who prevailed, his recent press conference with Halberstam in Harlem on gun violence and crime, and her life’s work on making the city safe.
Top members of NYPD, including DA Eric Gonzalez, spoke about their longtime friendship and affects of Halberstam’s training, and her dedicated work in the criminal justice system for over two decades. While one guest said, “it is all about Ari after all.”
In attendance were Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Brooklyn Borough President and Democratic Nominee for Mayor Eric Adams, Former Chief of Department and current Senior Advisor to the Mayor for COVID Recovery Terence Monahan, Councilwoman and Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, Councilman and Democratic Nominee for Comptroller Brad Lander, Council Member Robert Cornegy, Councilmember Kalman Yeger, Democratic Nominee for City Council District 48 Steven Saperstein and his wife Elina, Chief of Department Rodney Harrison, Chief of Patrol Juanita Holmes, Deputy Commissioner for Community Partnerships Chauncey Parker, Special Agent Chris Donohue/FBI Civil Rights Division, Chief of Manhattan South Stephen Hughes, Chief of Office of Crime Control Strategies Frank Giordano, PBBS Deputy Chief Ruel Stephenson, PBBS Inspector Norman Grandstaff, 66 Pct Commanding Officer Jason Hagestad, 71 Precinct Commanding Officer Inspector Joe Hayward, Community Affairs Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Richie Taylor, 81 Precinct Commanding Officer Billy Glynn, 78 Precinct Commanding Officer Captain Frantz Souffrant, Community Affairs Lieutenant Ira Jablonsky, Community Affairs Detective Mike Baratta, Community Affairs Detective Mohammad Amen, Inspector Max Tolentino, community Affairs Unit, Fire Department Chaplain Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis, Rabbi Joesph Potasnik, Advisor to Eric Adams’ 2021 Mayoral Campaign, Joel Eisdorfer, Williamsburg Satmar Community Leader Moishe Indig, Jake Adler Jewish Liaison for Gov. Hochul, Pinny Ringel Dep. Commissioner for CAU Mayors office, Pinny Hikind for Scott Stringer, David Kletszick from DA Gonzalez, Eli Slavin from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Yeruchim Silber /Agudas Israel of America, Jonathan Shabsheikhes – rep. AG Letitia James.
Amazing to have such a well-connected advocate for our community! Thank you Devorah!! May you continue to do your important work in fighting hate and teaching tolerance.
Very impressive guest list. It looks like Eric Adams truly admires and respects you. Plus I saw his Twitter page and it’s practically all you and this event on Succos. No one else does what you do Devorah!