New Square, New York Relocation Guide

New Square is the anglicized form of Skvyra, a town in Ukraine, where the Skver Hasidim Hasidim have their roots. The village was established in 1954, when twenty families moved from Williamsburg, Brooklyn to a 130 acre dairy farm under the leadership of their Rebbe, Yakov Yosef Twersky. In 1961 New Square was incorporated, and became the first village in New York state to be governed by a religious group. Over the years annexations have increased its size.

New Square's success motivated the Satmar Hasidim headed by their own rebbe Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum to plan and build their own version of a town governed by a religious group at Kiryas Joel, New York.

The community in New Square is made up exclusively of Hasidic Jews, mostly from the Skverer Hasidic sect, who wish to maintain a Hasidic lifestyle while keeping outside influences to a minimum. The village is self-sustainable, with its own business and shopping areas, primary and secondary schools, and charitable organizations.

The community is led by Grand Rabbi David Twerski. The village is essentially one community with a large synagogue serving the entire population. By communal ordinance, no synagogues or educational institutions may be set up independent of the established leadership. A rabbinic court, consisting of three prominent rabbis, exists for deciding day-to-day matters of Jewish law.

The village is administered by a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and a Board of Trustees. Although elections take place, the officials generally run unopposed and actual voting is minimal. It is generally understood that officials are appointed by Twerski, the village's spiritual leader, who retains ultimate control of all communal matters.

The village exercises its power as a voting bloc and has achieved considerable influence with officials in Albany and Washington. Residents vote for candidates endorsed by the village's leaders, with little exception. It is a frequent campaign stop for candidates for public office, both local and federal, and has been visited by such notables as Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Vice president Al Gore. New York Governor George Pataki is a frequent visitor to communal events and personal family celebrations of the Rebbe, Rabbi David Twerski.

The community maintains strict codes of behavior based on the teachings of their Rebbes, past and present. At the entrance to the village, a sign notifies of a village law forbidding entry in immodest dress. Village roads have signs for "Men's side" and "Women's Side". Women do not drive.

The community's spokesperson is Rabbi Mayer Schiller, a controversial Talmud Teacher in New York City, who, while not currently residing in New Square, is a longstanding friend of the community.

Source: wikipedia.org
Photo Source: rockland.org

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