NYPD Commissioner Visits the Rebbe’s Ohel Ahead of Yom Kippur

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens ahead of Yom Kippur, accompanied by NYPD Honorary Commissioner Devorah Halberstam, where she wrote a personal Pan note and said a prayer.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch visited the Rebbe’s Ohel in Queens on Wednesday evening, ahead of Yom Kippur, accompanied by her friend, NYPD Honorary Commissioner Devorah Halberstam, Alden Foster – Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs, and Fred Kreizman – Assistant Commissioner of Community Affairs.

The visit took place on Vov Tishrei, the yartzeit of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, the Rebbe’s mother, adding special significance to the occasion.

Commissioner Tisch learned about the Ohel and the many thousands who visit the holy site throughout the year. She wrote a personal Pan note before entering the Rebbe’s Ohel and recited a prayer at the Ohel.

“It was a very special and meaningful experience to accompany the police commissioner to the Ohel,” Halberstam told COLlive.com. “The visit was especially significant because it took place on the yartzeit of the Rebbe’s mother.”

During the visit, a video was playing in which the Rebbe spoke about his mother. Tisch was thanked by Rabbi Abba Refson, Director of Ohel Chabad-Lubavitch, for her assistance with security throughout the year.

Tisch also visited Rebbetzin Chana’s resting place, as well as the gravesite of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe’s wife, her mother Rebbetzin Nechama Dina and her grandmother Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah.

Halberstam said she explained the significance of each gravesite to the commissioner, who listened closely and showed deep respect throughout the visit.

The two also made a special visit to the nearby resting place of Halberstam’s son, Ari Halberstam, who was murdered in the 1994 Brooklyn Bridge terrorist shooting.

“I told her about Ari and explained the words inscribed on his gravestone, stating that he was killed because he was a Jew,” Halberstam said. “She asked me more than once if that was truly what it said. She listened very carefully and was so respectful.”

Halberstam also shared with Tisch the personal significance of Rebbetzin Chana’s resting place being located across from Ari’s grave.

“I told her that the Rebbe’s mother overlooks my son’s grave and that Ari died for her son,” she said. “I felt a very strong bond with her during that moment.”

Halberstam praised Tisch’s leadership of the NYPD and her commitment to protecting New Yorkers, particularly the Jewish community.

“To me, she is a ‘Shomeret Yisrael’ – a guardian of the Jewish people,” Halberstam said. “She is fearless and is doing an outstanding job as police commissioner. I also saw the tremendous respect shown to her by the officers stationed at the Ohel.”

The NYPD maintains a round-the-clock security detail outside the Ohel.

“For me, this was one of the most special and meaningful experiences I have had over the years,” Halberstam said. “It was an honor and a privilege to escort her and bring her there.”

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