European Jurist’s Stop Before UN

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shmuel Amit/COLlive

Michele Coninsx, President of Eurojust, the European Union (EU) agency dealing with judicial co-operation in criminal matters, flew into New York this week for a scheduled speech at the United Nations (UN).

Before heading to Manhattan, Coninsx traveled from the airport to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights for a unique visit and meeting at the Jewish Children’s Museum.

The visit was coordinated by Rabbi Michoel Rosenblum, Rabbi of the European Synagogue Ohel Eliezer in Brussels, Belgium, and Director of the Jewish Buildings near the European Union.

Joining Coninsx was Yvan De Mesmaeker, Secretary General of the European Corporate Security Association, a non-for-profit of professionals who contribute to the security of corporations, organizations and institutions.

With the European Union facing an overwhelming challenge of dealing with the different rules of law under their jurisdiction in 28 different countries, the guests came to get a Brooklyn perspective on security.

Greeting them was Devorah Halberstam, Director of Foundation and Government Services of the Jewish Children’s Museum, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Intelligence Division of the FBI Greg Ehrie and NYPD’s community affairs members Detective Vincent Martinos, P.O. Frank Bulzoni and P.O. Taeisha Skyers.

The meeting at the museum covered common problems such as cyber-terrorism, foreign fighters and the significance of local law enforcement in community engagement.

As a mother who lost her child to terror and an activist in anti-terror law, Halberstam has previously met with leaders of the law enforcement community of the EU and Belgium to discuss terrorism-related issues in the United States and security concerns of the Jewish community in the EU and USA.

“While the United States is divided into local, State and Federal Government, we face our own unique issues,” she said. “On a local level, the NYPD, with its 15,000 members, is unlike any police department in the world. The 71st Precinct is an exceptional example of community policing by addressing and understanding the local culture and lives of the diverse communities that it serves.”

Both Coninsx and Mesmakaer toured the Jewish Children’s Museum after the meeting and were impressed by the museum’s imposing significance in the community, the exhibits, and its mission of tolerance and understanding.

Mesmakaer said that he found the exchange most interesting, and on a more personal level was “much impressed and touched by how you turned the pain of the tragic loss of your son into so much constructive energy and action. The Jewish Children’s Museum is an impressive realisation and a wonderful tribute.”