(Click HERE for photos) Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly visited Grand Satmar Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum on Tuesday May 6th at his Williamsburg home.

The meeting was quite emotional for the Police Commissioner, as he partook of the Rebbe’s hospitality; eating from an array of fine fruits and listening to the Rebbe tell stories of Williamsburg from fifty years ago.

Commissioner Kelly thanked the Rebbe for inviting him to his home and articulated to the Rebbe his amazement how the Williamsburg community has grown.  The Rebbe thanked the Commissioner for his fine work in keeping the city safe and for working with the Satmar community to provide them protection.  The Rebbe then invited Commissioner Kelly to visit with him in Kiryas Joel in Monroe, which the Commissioner accepted with honor.

Prior to visiting the Rebbe’s home, a reception was held for the Commissioner at the home of Rabbi Moishe Indig, Community Leader and Citywide Liaison to the Police Department.  The Commissioner was well-received by dozens of distinguished guests and community leaders including Rabbi Yitzchok Rosenberg, Vice President of the Satmar Congregation Yetev Lev; noted “askan” and community leader Rabbi Abraham Yitzchok Eisdorfer and his son Rabbi Yoel Eisdorfer who serves as a Liaison for the NYPD and Chaplain for numerous other law enforcement agencies in New York State.

The Commissioner spoke of efforts to protect against terrorism, his commitment of extra protection during the Jewish holidays, and the partnership with the Shomrim Patrol, as Rabbi Indig praised the Commissioner for his role in making the Shomrim/NYPD partnership the success it has become. Representing the Shomrim at the reception were Williamsburg coordinators Yanky Itzkowitz and Zalman Leib Feldman.  Williamsburg Chaverim was represented by its coordinator Rabbi Abraham Rosenberg and Rabbi Elush Spitzer.

Rabbi Leib Glanz, community leader and Executive Vice President of UJCARE echoed the sentiments of Rabbi Indig and the entire community in supporting the Commissioner in any and all future endeavors.  Rabbi Glanz then took the opportunity to introduce Commissioner Kelly to UJCARE’s new Executive Director, Yechezkel Katz.  The two exchanged sentiments, praising each other for the fine work each has done on behalf of the community.

After the reception, a contingent led the commissioner to the newly renovated and expanded Congregation Yetev Lev on Hooper Street.  The Commissioner stared in amazement at the expansion which added thousands of seats to the structure.

Rabbi Glanz then suggested a tour of the newly dedicated Ritual Bath across the street, to which the Commissioner responded, “You mean the Mikvah where you immerse before Davening?”  The crowd was quite amused and surprised at the Commissioner’s knowledge, but it indicated how well-informed and sensitive the Commissioner was to the needs of the orthodox community.  The Mikvah was dedicated by well-respected philanthropist and community leader Rabbi Yidel Lichtenstein.

The Commissioner’s day began with a visit to the Satmar girl’s school, Beit Rochel, where the Commissioner remarked how amazed he was with the discipline and Derech Eretz shown by the girls.

It was a true Kiddush HaShem!

Photos of the visit have been uploaded at www.theyeshivaworld.com