Oholei Torah Dedicates ‘Ari Halberstam Gate’

By COLlive reporter

The 32nd yartzeit of Ari Halberstam HY”D was marked with a two-part commemoration honoring his life and enduring connection to the yeshiva in Crown Heights, where he once learned.

Halberstam, murdered in a terror attack on the Brooklyn Bridge in 1994, was remembered as an outstanding student, a talented basketball player, and a friend.

The event began at Educational Institute Oholei Torah, where the main gateway to the Beis Medrash was formally dedicated in his memory. The newly named “Ari Halberstam Gate” stands at the entrance to the yeshiva.

Family members, including his mother and siblings, joined hanhala members, talmidim, and a wide array of community leaders for the emotional ceremony. Also in attendance were NYPD brass, and government and city officials, who came to pay their respects and stand with the family on this meaningful day.

The program was emceed by Rabbi Nosson Blumes, Director of Development of Oholei Torah. Rabbi Mendy Blau, head of Oholei Torah, addressed the crowd on behalf of the yeshiva, speaking about Ari’s connection to the school and the significance of dedicating the central gateway in his memory.

Ari’s brother, Mendy Halberstam, spoke movingly, followed by remarks from his mother, Devorah Halberstam, Honorary NYPD Commissioner of Community Safety and Chair of the Board of Commissioners to Combat Antisemitism, who has spent the decades since his murder fighting for justice for Ari and other victims of terror and antisemitism. Rabbi Yisroel Hecht, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Information Technology, also addressed the gathering.

Police officials at the event were presented with the new book by Sara Blau, Seven Clues for a Kinder World, a book about a fun scavenger hunt teaching the Sheva Mitzvos B’nei Noach that starts at a police station. With one of the main characters being a police officer, it was a fitting and meaningful gift for them.

Later that evening, a dinner event was held at the Jewish Children’s Museum (JCM), founded in memory of Ari. At the event, family and friends continued to reflect on Ari’s life, marking 32 years since his passing.

Rabbi Shea Hecht of the NCFJE was the MC. Rabbi Mendy Wineberg, Director of Chabad of Dunwoody, Georgia, and a cousin of Ari, spoke and made a Siyum in his memory.

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