NEW YORK – Today, the 23rd of Adar, marks 31 years since the tragic murder of Ari Halberstam HY”D, a 16-year-old Chabad yeshiva student who was gunned down in a terror attack on the Brooklyn Bridge. His mother, Devorah Halberstam, continues to keep his memory alive, urging people to do mitzvos and gather for a Farbrengen in his merit.
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The Attack That Shook New York and the Jewish World
On the morning of March 1, 1994, Ari Halberstam and a group of yeshiva students were traveling home from a visit to the Lubavitcher Rebbe at Manhattan’s Beth Israel Hospital. They had been praying for the Rebbe’s recovery, as he had suffered a debilitating stroke two years earlier.
As their van crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, a lone terrorist, Rashid Baz, a Lebanese Muslim with ties to extremist ideology, pulled up alongside them and unleashed a barrage of gunfire. He fired multiple rounds from a Cobray M-11 machine gun, along with a Glock 17 and a 12-gauge shotgun, spraying the vehicle in a calculated, cold-blooded assault. The students had no time to react. In mere seconds, the van was riddled with bullets, and panic filled the air.
Four students were struck by the gunfire, but Ari took the brunt of the attack. Shot in the head, he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. For five agonizing days, his family, friends, and the Crown Heights community held onto hope, praying for a miracle. Tragically, on March 6, Ari succumbed to his wounds, becoming the first known victim of a terrorist attack targeting Jews in the United States.
A City and a Community in Mourning
The murder of Ari Halberstam sent shockwaves through the Jewish world. Crown Heights, still recovering from the 1991 riots, was once again thrust into grief and fear. Thousands packed the streets for his levaya at 770 Eastern Parkway, the world headquarters of Chabad-Lubavitch. The scene was one of unity and sorrow—Jews of all backgrounds, religious leaders, and political figures gathered to pay respects to the young boy whose life was stolen by hate.
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had just taken office, expressed his condolences and vowed to protect the Jewish community. Governor Mario Cuomo, visibly shaken, acknowledged the growing threats against Jews in the city. The NYPD heightened security at Jewish institutions, aware that this attack was not an isolated act of violence, but a warning of what was to come.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, despite his own failing health, was informed of Ari’s passing. Those close to the Rebbe recalled his deep sorrow. Ari’s father, Reb Chananya Halberstam, had worked closely with the Rebbe, and his son’s murder was a deeply personal loss. The Rebbe had always emphasized that America was a safe haven for Jews, a place where they could thrive without fear. But now, that security had been shattered.
The Truth Behind the Attack: A Fight for Justice
In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement initially treated the shooting as an act of “road rage.” But Devorah Halberstam refused to accept this false narrative. She knew her son was targeted for being Jewish. She embarked on a relentless fight to expose the truth, demanding the attack be recognized as an act of terrorism.
Devorah’s determination led to a groundbreaking shift in how terrorism cases were prosecuted in the United States. She worked with federal authorities to reclassify the attack, ensuring Rashid Baz was charged appropriately. He was sentenced to 141 years in prison, ensuring he would never walk free again.
Her advocacy did not stop there. Devorah became a leading voice in the fight against terrorism, advising government agencies, the FBI, and law enforcement on counterterrorism measures. She helped establish security protocols for Jewish institutions, ensuring what happened to Ari would never happen again. Today, her work continues to shape policies that protect Jewish communities across America.
Ari’s Legacy: A Life Taken Al Kiddush Hashem
Ari Halberstam was more than a victim—he was a beloved son, a devoted Chossid, and a vibrant young man whose life was filled with promise. He loved basketball and Torah learning, and he had a deep connection to the Rebbe.
Years before the attack, a powerful moment foreshadowed Ari’s unwavering faith. During a Lag BaOmer parade, he found himself stuck on a Ferris wheel. Overcome with fear, he began screaming, “We’re going to die! Shema Yisroel!” The Rebbe later commented that the entire parade was worth it just for that moment—a child calling out Shema Yisroel with such sincerity. That child was Ari.
His death was not in vain. His legacy lives on through acts of kindness, Torah learning, and the continued efforts of his mother. The Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, founded by Devorah Halberstam, stands as a testament to Ari’s memory, educating thousands of children about Jewish heritage and resilience.
Marking His Yartzeit
On this 31st yartzeit, Devorah urges the Jewish community to honor Ari’s memory through mitzvos and Farbrengens. Every act of Torah study, tefillah, and chesed is a tribute to the young soul taken too soon.
May his neshama have an aliyah, and may his memory continue to inspire and protect Klal Yisroel.
His neshoma should have a lichtechen gan eden. What a tragedy and loss for us, and also what an amazing inspiration of what it means for Mrs. Halberstam getting involved to set things right and to educate as she has done.
Al Sharpton who incited the riots/pogrom has a show on MSNBC and is paid homage to by all the democrats when they run for President.
It took years for the incompetent FBI, to formally classify Ari Halberstam’s murder, as an act of terrorism. The terrorist should have been tried in federal court, and sentenced to death. It is ridiculous that terrorist should receive free medical care for the rest of his miserable life. Incidentally, the approach ramp on the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan into Brooklyn is named in memory of Ari Halberstam. When I visited the museum mentioned in this article, in 2011, there was a person there, who knew Ari. May his memory be for a blessing.
Let’s remember Pesha Leah Lapine, murdered on the 3 Adar Alef, 1992. May her blood be avenged.
He did not act alone. He had been provided intelligence that the Lubavitcher Rebbe was in the motorcade, but shot at another vehicle after the Rebbe’s car was not reachable. There needs to be a more thorough investigation of who his handlers were.