Governor Hochul Visits the Ohel Ahead of Elections

New York Governor Kathy Hochul visited the Ohel in Cambria Heights, Queens, on Erev Shabbos, paying her respects to the Rebbe, Frierdiker Rebbe, and the Rebbetzin. She also visited the kever of Ari Halberstam.

At the Ohel, Hochul left a note and spent time saying Tehillim. She also gave tzedakah during the visit.

Speaking about her visit, Hochul noted that New York has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel and said she was “humbled to once again visit” and honor the Rebbe.

The Governor recalled how the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin miraculously escaped Nazi Europe and arrived in New York in 1941. Speaking about the Rebbe’s influence on Jewish life in New York and around the world, she said that his “profound impact will be felt for generations to come.”

During the visit, Hochul also lit yahrtzeit candles, including one alongside Mrs. Devorah Halberstam. She joined Halberstam at the kever of her son, Ari Halberstam, hy”d, who was murdered in an antisemitic terrorist attack on the Brooklyn Bridge 32 years ago.

“It is always a profoundly moving experience to stand alongside Devorah Halberstam at her son Ari’s gravesite,” Hochul said. “Ari’s promising life was cut short in an act of antisemitic terror on the Brooklyn Bridge 32 years ago. His loss continues to be felt deeply in New York and across the world.”

The Governor was accompanied by Rabbi Chanina Sperlin, a longtime Crown Heights government liaison and honorary NYPD chaplain, and Rabbi Motti Seligson, director of media relations for Chabad-Lubavitch. Mrs. Halberstam, an honorary NYPD commissioner and chair of the NYPD’s Civilian Hate Crimes Review Panel, also accompanied Hochul.

The visit comes less than a month before New York’s November 3 gubernatorial election. Hochul made a similar visit to the Ohel on October 30, 2022, shortly before the previous gubernatorial election.