Bruce Blakeman Visits the Rebbe’s Ohel Ahead of Rosh Hashanah

by CrownHeights.info

Nassau County Executive and Republican nominee for Governor of New York Bruce Blakeman visited the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in Queens earlier Monday evening, ahead of Rosh Hashanah.

During the visit, Blakeman wrote a kvitel and spent time davening at the Rebbe’s Ohel, seeking a bracha as the Jewish community prepares to enter the new year.

The visit comes as Blakeman continues his campaign for Governor of New York. He was formally listed as the Republican candidate for Governor in the 2026 New York election, with Todd Hood as his running mate.

Blakeman has maintained a close relationship with the Chabad community on Long Island and has visited the Rebbe’s Ohel on previous occasions. In September 2025, he visited the Ohel together with Chabad shluchim from Nassau County, where he put on tefillin, heard the shofar in honor of Chodesh Elul, and entered the Ohel to daven.

His connection to the Rebbe and Chabad has also been reflected in his public comments. In a recent interview, Blakeman spoke about the impact of the Rebbe’s teachings on his outlook, describing the Rebbe as a model for how a person should conduct himself as both a citizen and an individual. He said that visiting the Ohel on the Rebbe’s yahrtzeit was, for him, both a blessing and a mitzvah.

Blakeman has also made Jewish community concerns a prominent part of his gubernatorial campaign, speaking frequently about antisemitism, public safety, and the security of Jewish communities throughout New York. He recently visited Crown Heights, meeting with community members, business owners, and local activists to hear their concerns.

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, Blakeman’s visit to the Ohel places him among the many thousands who come to the Rebbe’s tziyon during the days surrounding the new year to daven and seek a bracha for themselves, their families, and Klal Yisroel.