By COLlive reporter
A crowd of teenagers recently gathered at the Jewish Children’s Museum in Crown Heights for a town hall meeting against hate, hosted by community activist and the museum co-founder Devorah Halberstam.
Halberstam says it’s part of an effort to build bridges to different communities, combat antisemitism and honor son Ari Halberstam, who was murdered in an Arab terror attack 28 years ago.
Ari Halberstam was 16 years old in 1994 when he was killed by Lebanese-born terrorist Rashid Baz, who opened fire on a van carrying yeshiva students on the ramp to the Brooklyn Bridge.
“Every single moment of my life is dedicated and committed to educating our young people about acceptance, about love and not hate,” said Halberstam.
She told the visiting youth that she’s keeping Ari’s memory alive and sharing his story with young people she hopes can relate and grow.
Her message resonated with Kiana Thomas, 19. “Just hearing that story and feeling a mother’s pain, that did strike me,” Thomas told NY1. “I was trying my best not to cry.”
The 28th anniversary of Ari’s murder was introduced this week in the New York State Senate as Senate Resolution No. 1961 by State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Chairman of the Committee on Election who presents District 20 and Crown Heights, where Ari lived.
The following is the full text of the Resolution:
COMMEMORATING the life and legacy of Ari Halberstam on the 28th Anniversary of his tragic murder
WHEREAS, On March 5, 1994, Ari Halberstam of Brooklyn, New York, tragically lost his life at the age of 16 as a result of an antisemitic terrorist attack at the Brooklyn Bridge; and
WHEREAS, One of the weapons used in this attack was a machine pistol, which was assembled from a kit sold through mail order and was legal because it did not include a finished receiver; and
WHEREAS, Over the past few years, New York has seen a renewed rise in antisemitism and antisemitic attacks; and
WHEREAS, Gun violence has also seen a revival, returning to levels not seen for years; and
WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the living to honor the life and legacy of the lost and through their memory, we strengthen our resolve to save the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, Ari Halberstam was a bright and passionate individual, as dedicated to his studies as he was to basketball; and
WHEREAS, In Ari’s memory, his family led the fight to ensure New York would be a leader in protecting civilians from the gun kits that were used to kill Ari, brought that fight to Washington, D.C., and established the Jewish Children’s Museum; and
WHEREAS, No one else should ever face the grief and trauma that comes with losing a child to gun violence; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the life and legacy of Ari Halberstam on the 28th Anniversary of his tragic murder, and to continue the fight against gun violence; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Ari’s mother, Devorah Halberstam.
