Concern must be raised about the impact of a group of people, with a growing population, upon the residents of Mamakating, and Sullivan County.
Members of insular Hasidic sects often receive their political instructions from the Rebbe or Rabbi who leads the group. This usually results in a bloc vote on any particular issue or for a particular candidate.
In 1999 four New Square men were convicted of bilking government aid programs and funneling the money back to the yeshiva in their community of 7,000 people. President Bill Clinton commuted their prison sentences in 2000. There were suspicions that the clemency was granted in exchange for the promise of a bloc vote for Hillary Clinton who was a candidate for US Senate at the time.
Mrs. Clinton met with leaders of the community in August 2000 and again, with Mr. Clinton, in December 2000 after the election. New Square voters gave her 1,400 votes to 12 for the Republican candidate, former Representative Rick A. Lazio. Mrs.Clinton's aides have said clemency did not come up in the August meeting and, when it was raised in the December meeting, she offered no comment.
The issues that are a concern to the residents of Mamakating might very well be contrary to the practices of the Skver Hasidim. The Skver know and care little of the outside world that surrounds them. They maintain their own self interest, often to the detriment of the community at large. What might be for the benefit of the majority of the people of Mamakating, will probably not serve the needs of the Skver, and they will vote accordingly.
Indeed, if the relations between the Village of Kiryas Joel and the Town of Monroe, within which it resides, are any lesson, residents of Mamakating will be negatively affected by this community. Here are two examples of the poor relations between Hasidic villages and the surrounding community.
Kiryas Joel eager for own library
Kiryas Joel checks out of Monroe Free Library
Here is a comical look how members of the Kiryas Joel community deceived each other as they were attempting to conceal a property acquisition.
ACE deal creates bad feeling all around
Monday, August 20, 2007
Explosive Growth and Expansion Hallmark of Hasidic Sects
Members of Hasidic communities, such as the Skver, seek to raise very large families. It is not uncommon for adherents to bear eight to ten children. This requires successive expansion with each generation. The original community was founded in 1954 by 20 families on 130 acres of land. In 1961, the Village of New Square was incorporated, and expanded by annexation.
The plan to build a satellite community on 440 acres in Spring Glen can only be the beginning of an expansive land grab by a community that will grow exponentially. It is unrealistic to believe that with the historical population growth, these 440 acres alone will satisfy the needs of the growing community. Rapid expansion is assured with annexation and condemnation of adjacent properties. If the Village of Kiryas Joel is any example, rapid growth along with poor planning, will sprawl the community in a haphazard manner, destroying natural resources and the rural character of the town.
Many of the properties will probably be claimed under a tax-exempt status of being a house of worship. The village, not only will avoid contributing its fair share toward public, tax funded services, such as fire, police and schools, it will have many residents who depend upon public assistance to support their large families. This will affect all of Sullivan County residents.
The plan to build a satellite community on 440 acres in Spring Glen can only be the beginning of an expansive land grab by a community that will grow exponentially. It is unrealistic to believe that with the historical population growth, these 440 acres alone will satisfy the needs of the growing community. Rapid expansion is assured with annexation and condemnation of adjacent properties. If the Village of Kiryas Joel is any example, rapid growth along with poor planning, will sprawl the community in a haphazard manner, destroying natural resources and the rural character of the town.
Many of the properties will probably be claimed under a tax-exempt status of being a house of worship. The village, not only will avoid contributing its fair share toward public, tax funded services, such as fire, police and schools, it will have many residents who depend upon public assistance to support their large families. This will affect all of Sullivan County residents.
New Square Village second fastest growing in NY State
The Village of New Square, NY, exclusively inhabited by members of the Skver Hasidic sect is the second fastest growing community in New York, right behind the Village of Kiryas Joel. Kiryas Joel is populated by members of the rival Satmar sect, and is notorious for its high density housing and its dependency upon public assistance.
The Village of New Square is comprised of approximately 7,800 people, within one half a square mile. The population density is approximately 12,000 people per square mile.Its population increased 77.5% between 1990 and 2000. The median income for a household in the village was $12,162, and the median income for a family was $12,208. Males had a median income of $21,696 versus $29,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $5,237. About 67.0% of families and 72.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 77.3% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.
By contrast, the Town of Mamakating within which Spring Glen is located, has a population of approximately 11,000 living within 99 square miles. The population density is 59 people per square mile. The median income for a household in the town was $41,726, and the median income for a family was $49,615. Males had a median income of $40,811 versus $28,329 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,451. About 7.2% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
A sample of the community
(Photo: Yeshiva World News)
The Village of New Square is comprised of approximately 7,800 people, within one half a square mile. The population density is approximately 12,000 people per square mile.Its population increased 77.5% between 1990 and 2000. The median income for a household in the village was $12,162, and the median income for a family was $12,208. Males had a median income of $21,696 versus $29,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $5,237. About 67.0% of families and 72.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 77.3% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.
By contrast, the Town of Mamakating within which Spring Glen is located, has a population of approximately 11,000 living within 99 square miles. The population density is 59 people per square mile. The median income for a household in the town was $41,726, and the median income for a family was $49,615. Males had a median income of $40,811 versus $28,329 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,451. About 7.2% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
A sample of the community
(Photo: Yeshiva World News)
New Square Hasidim Seek to build community in Spring Glen,NY
It is interesting that there has been no mention in any local paper about these plans. The only reference is in an obscure community newspaper from Long Island.
The post from the 5 Towns Jewish Times.
About five years ago, New Square askanim (community) started searching in earnest for a suitable location on which to build a twin community to the current shtetl (village). The Rebbe, shlita, personally oversaw these activities, realizing full well that this was not merely an economic undertaking but an enterprise of the greatest spiritual significance. New Square was founded 50 years ago l’sheim Shamayim,(in the name of god) for the sake of raising Torah-true generations in a spiritually pure atmosphere. The search for a place to expand was undertaken with the same objective.
A more-than-400-acre estate was found in Spring Glen, New York, in the Catskill Mountains region. The estate came with several large structures, some of which are being used by Camp Bnos Square. The new Kiryas Square, which will be located an hour’s drive from its twin shtetl, will be a continuation of the original shikun (ghetto).
The sounds of thanksgiving and rejoicing will remain with the participants forever, and the future community to be built on the sprawling estate will b’ezras Hashem (with god's help) be a pride for K’lal Yisrael (nation of Israel) until the coming of Mashiach (messiah).
The post from the 5 Towns Jewish Times.
About five years ago, New Square askanim (community) started searching in earnest for a suitable location on which to build a twin community to the current shtetl (village). The Rebbe, shlita, personally oversaw these activities, realizing full well that this was not merely an economic undertaking but an enterprise of the greatest spiritual significance. New Square was founded 50 years ago l’sheim Shamayim,(in the name of god) for the sake of raising Torah-true generations in a spiritually pure atmosphere. The search for a place to expand was undertaken with the same objective.
A more-than-400-acre estate was found in Spring Glen, New York, in the Catskill Mountains region. The estate came with several large structures, some of which are being used by Camp Bnos Square. The new Kiryas Square, which will be located an hour’s drive from its twin shtetl, will be a continuation of the original shikun (ghetto).
The sounds of thanksgiving and rejoicing will remain with the participants forever, and the future community to be built on the sprawling estate will b’ezras Hashem (with god's help) be a pride for K’lal Yisrael (nation of Israel) until the coming of Mashiach (messiah).
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