Newly-appointed New York State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt visited Williamsburg last night, where he first met with the Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg, Rav Zalman Leib Teitelbaum Shlita, and then visited the home of the son of the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, Rav Mendel Teitelbaum Shlita – Rov of Satmar Williamsburg.

The Superintendent had flown by chopper from Albany to Brooklyn – as he was honored by State Senator Eric Adams, at a gathering of many politicians and community leaders (Click HERE for photos) – just prior to visiting Williamsburg. Senator Adams then accompanied the Superintendent on his visit to Williamsburg.

Upon his arrival at the home of the Satmar Rebbe (Click HERE for photos), Superintendent Corbitt was greeted by the Rebbe and other community leaders, including Rabbi Sol Perelstein, vice-president of the Satmar congregation. Rabbi Bernard Freilich, special assistant to the Superintendent of the NY State Police, Rabbi Abe Friedman, Community Liaison to the NYPD, Rabbi Simcha Bernath, Rabbi Joel Gold Chaplain of Ulster County Sheriff’s Department, and others, who congratulated Superintendent Corbitt on his appointment by Governor David Paterson and welcomed him to his new position as head of the New York State Police and its more than 7,000 sworn members and 1,000 civilian staff.

Superintendent Corbitt received a Bracha from the Rebbe, who wished him the best of luck and success in all future endeavors.

The Superintendent then went to the home of Rav Mendle Teitelbaum Shlita, who is the son of the Satmar Rebbe from Kiryas Yoel. (Click HERE for photos) There he was warmly greeted by the Rov, along with various member of the Kehilla, most notably Rabbi Leib Glanz, community leader and Executive Vice President of UJCARE.

First, Rabbi Glantz spoke of the importance of community relations, and how the community of Kiryas Yoel works hand-in-hand with the NYSP. The Superintendent then took the floor, and spoke of the importance of raising children in the proper way, and that children should be taught to respect one another.

This deeply impressed the Rov, who explained the Superintendent that in fact the term “Derech Eretz Kodma L’Torah” – how one must have respect prior to learning – is the driving force behind the spending of $120 million just to build Yeshivos in Williamsburg in the past few years. He then wished him well, and gave him a Bracha that anytime the Jewish communities need assistance from the NYSP it should be for happy occasions, and not Chas VeShalom for anything bad.

(Dov Gordon – YWN)