NYPD Chief Visits in Crown Heights

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shimi Kutner/COLlive

Chief Nilda Hofmann, the newly appointed Chief of Community Affairs Department of the NYPD, recently visited with activist Devorah Halberstam in Crown Heights, learning about the Jewish community and its needs.

Hofmann, the first Hispanic woman to be appointed a three-star chief within the NYPD, was accompanied on a tour of the Jewish Children’s Museum by Halberstam, an NYPD liaison and co-founder of the museum.

Hofmann sampled the museum’s interactive exhibits and learned about their mission to educate people of all backgrounds and cultures on the Jewish faith.

“She enjoyed and was impressed by the museum, its exhibits and its mission of understanding and tolerance,” Halberstam said. “She said she hoped to bring her daughter for a visit at a later date to enjoy the museum experience as well.”

“The visit served to help familiarize the Chief with the Jewish culture and the issues affecting the Crown Heights neighborhood on a daily basis,” Halberstam said.

The two then walked on Kingston Avenue and Eastern Parkway, where Hofmann got a first-hand look at the hustle and bustle of the overflow crowd of guests and residents which fill Crown Heights during the Tishrei month.

Hofmann was fascinated and moved by the crowds of visitors that were in the area, especially the hundreds of people praying in the tent erected outside of 770 Eastern Parkway.

“She saw the achdus and unity of hundreds of people praying together, and was enthralled by the work of Chabad in New York and around the world,” Halberstam said.

They followed with a special lunch at Basil Restaurant where they spoke about Jewish culture and issues affecting the Jewish community.

“We discussed the significant role the community affairs department plays in facilitating daily life in Crown Heights and the numerous diverse communities all over New York City,” Halberstam said.

“I thanked her on behalf of the community, and told her how grateful we are for everything the NYPD does for all of us, keeping all residents safe.”