NYC Mayor Eric Adams has visited the grave of the famous Jewish leader twice, six times in total, since the indictment

Hizzoner is looking for Hail Marys in the most unexpected places.

Mayor Eric Adams has visited the Queens burial site of the late Chabad Lubavitch leader Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson At least twice since he was convicted on public corruption charges in September, insiders said.

More recently, devout Pentecostal Christians soon moved to Montefiore Cemetery in Springfield Gardens. Tuesday after midnight What one witness described as a “low-key meeting”.

The mayor was “deeply engrossed” and “concentrating on his prayers” – he insisted he was completely there. schneerson92, who died in 1994 and is considered by some followers to be the Messiah.

Witnesses told The Post that visitors asked to take photographs with the mayor, who refused, saying, “It’s about the Rebbe.”

Sources said he also visited on October 1, the day before Rosh Hashanah and six days after his indictment.

As of June 2021, Adams is known to have visited the site at least six times. Insiders said the mayor — who faces a tough re-election fight — reportedly made “several more” late-night visits to Schneerson’s gravesite that were not reported.

The most recent jaunts – which were not listed on the mayor’s public schedule – were leaked only to specific Orthodox Jewish media.

“I think he’s a political animal and I think everything he does is deliberate,” he told WABC-AM. Radio host Sid Rosenberg, Joe has considered Adams his “friend” for years and regularly features him on his conservative talk show.

“I think he does what will help him politically and economically. It’s him,” he said.

“Before his trial and before his second run for mayor, he’s visiting a rabbi’s grave? coincidence? I don’t think so.”

Republican Curtis Sliwa, who lost to Adams for mayor in 2021 and plans to run again next year, called Adams a “political chameleon” trying to solicit sympathy from Jews.

“He needs a Hail Mary pass — whether it’s spiritual or (pardon) from Donald Trump,” he said. “There’s no doubt he’s doing everything he can to avoid going to jail.”

Orthodox Jewish Councilman Kalman Yeager (D-Brooklyn) insisted that the visits were sincere and reflected the mayor’s spiritual side.

“I certainly don’t think it’s phony or political,” said Yeager, whose district includes Borough Park and several other highly concentrated Jewish communities.

Yeager added, “I think he’s always had a strong connection with the Rebbe’s neighborhood (in Crown Heights) and the Hasidim” when Adams was a state senator. “It’s not that strange to me that he goes there for strength, inspiration, prayer, anything. People go for different reasons.

Adams famously Claimed that God gave him a divine message three decades ago that he would become mayor on January 1, 2022 – The day he assumed office.

Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Democratic political consultant, agreed with Yeager, saying he believed Adams was asking for help from a higher power.

“He is in trouble; He’s a religious man, and he’s going to pray,” Sheinkopf said. “And it doesn’t hurt that Chabad Jews around the world keep the Rebbe in blessed memory.”

The cemetery, known by observers as “the Ohel”, meaning “tent” or “house” in Hebrew, attracts about one million visitors annually, including many other Poles. are among them Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) who guest-starred on Election Day last week as President-elect Donald Trump, who came on the first anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terrorist attack On Israel.

“Some people come to pray; Some people come to pay their respects; Want some answers; Some must be inspired,” said Chabad spokesman Rabbi Motti Seligson.

“People will come from halfway around the world just to spend a few hours.”

Adams’ representatives said the tours are kosher.

“Mayor Adams has visited the site several times over the years to pay respect and draw inspiration in his personal capacity,” spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak said.

“As mayor of the city with the largest Jewish population in the world outside Israel, Mayor Adams respects the many traditions of Judaism.”

But former city controller Scott Stringer said Adams shouldn’t expect Hizzoner to slack off. approval rating To improve due to travels.

“I’m told God has informed him that he is not getting a second term,” quipped Stringer, who is Jewish and plans to challenge Adams in next year’s Democratic mayoral primary.