By COLlive reporter
Photos: Itzik Roytman/ COLlive.com
For the first time, the new crop of officers of the 71st and 77th Precincts of the New York Police Department (NYPD) visited the Jewish Children’s Museum in Crown Heights for a learning tour about Jewish traditions and lifestyle.
The Museum’s co-founder Devorah Halberstam, Honorary NYPD Commissioner and NYPD liaison, gave the officers a tour and provided insight into Jewish life and culture of the Brooklyn neighborhood, home to the large Chabad community and the home base that thousands visit each year.
On the Museum’s Jewish holiday floor, they received information on the details of each holiday, its significance and meaning, and how it translates into daily life and practice.
They also learned about Shabbos and what the weekly schedule is like. “It helped them become familiar with the laws and customs that they might encounter while patrolling the community,” Halberstam told COLlive.com.
Halberstam explained the halachic laws which Jewish people observe, as well as how they relate to Crown Heights residents. They also learned what they should be aware of as far as security concerns and things that may seem out of place, which should trigger an alert.
Also discussed were the many events and conventions which take place regularly in Crown Heights, as well as Tishrei and other holidays such as Pesach and Purim, which have unique occurrences and require understanding. This was followed by a question and answer session.
“The visit was so important for the Officers to see and understand and get a better understanding of the community that they work in,” Halberstam said.
“Most of them do not live in the area, and have not encountered Orthodox Jews before, so they found the tour to be very eye-opening and educational,” she said.
Thank you Mrs Halberstam for your leadership and using your wisdom for the betterment of society.
Continued success in your endeavors Mrs. Halberstam!
This is a great start, we should also take them to the stores that have been robbed and to speak to the people punched in broad daylight to understand what it’s like for us and our kids walking on the streets.