[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota received a warm welcome from the Orthodox Community in Crown Heights – The Chabad Lubavitch community – after meeting with the board of the CHJCC and community leaders, Monday night, at a Sukkah in the neighborhood.

Issues such as affordable housing, school vouchers and transportation were the highlight of an hour long open conversation between the candidate and the community leaders. Many of them, without identifying themselves, told YWN they were impressed by Mr. Lhota’s positions and sincerity.

As Mr. Lhota was walking down Kingston Avenue, he was greeted by a friendly crowd, many of them Hasidim who reside in Williamsburg, talking the issues that are at great concern to voters in the community and asking them for their vote. Mr. Lhota was accompanied by Colonel Jacob Z. Goldstein, former chief chaplain of the New York Army National Guard and Chairman of Community Board 9 in Crown Heights.

And.. Yes! Joe is human and even joyful. Following his brief remarks, addressing the crowd and wishing them a “Gut Yom Tov” from the stage, Mr. Lhota got caught into a Hasidic dance.

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)