[EXCLUSIVE VIDEO & PHOTOS BELOW] New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith visited Crown Heights Monday to discuss community relations and listen to the special needs of the community.

Greeting him were the directors of the major educational institutions of Crown Heights as well as Black and Jewish leaders of the community.

They were hosted in the home of Chanina Sperlin, in charge of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC)

After words of welcome and introductions by the host, Rabbi Eli Cohen, Executive Director of the community council, introduced the proceeding by describing the tremendous strides made by the community over the past twenty years since the terrible events of August 1991.

Cohen told of how the various community groups were planning a “Crown Heights Summer of Celebration” to draw attention to all the progress that had been made.

Much of the discussion centered around education, with both the Mayor and other leaders in the room referring to the upcoming Passover Holiday and about the focus on education during that Holiday.

The recent budget cuts at the City and State level have hurt the schools and the Mayor was urged to address the issue of how to help the parents of private and parochial schools deal with the rising costs.

At the conclusion of the reception, Rabbi Eli Cohen mentioned that the gathering was connected to Yud Alef Nissan, the birthday of the Rebbe.

Immediately, the Mayor pulled out his wallet, and removed a dollar that had been given to him many years earlier. “It’s worked until now”, the Mayor said witha smile.

YWN PHOTOS LINK: Click HERE for photos taken by Yossi Percia.

Watch the YWN exclusive video below (Bloomberg shows dollar at 6.30 into video)

(COLLive / YWN World Headquarters – NYC)