New Square, New York
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- See related article Skver (Hasidic dynasty)
New Square is a village located in Rockland County, New York and is home to the Skverer Hasidim and groups of Rachmastrivk and Chernobyler Hasidim who are closly related dynasties of Skverr. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 4,624.
The Village of New Square is in the Town of Ramapo.
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History
New Square is the anglicized form of Skvira, a village in Ukraine, where the Skver Hasidim dynasty of Hasidism had its roots. The community began in 1954, when twenty Skver families moved from Williamsburg, Brooklyn to a 130 acre (530,000 m²) farm north of Spring Valley, under the leadership of their rebbe Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky. In 1961 New Square became the first village in New York state to be governed by a religious group. Over the years annexations have increased its size. Its population increased 77.5% between 1990 and 2000.
Emulated by Satmars
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.
Controversies
In recent years, there have been a number of scandals plaguing the New Square community. Government allegations of fraudulent colleges with bogus student bodies set up to extract PELL grants, which would benefit the sect's institution, bristle the community. Convictions were handed down against four sect members, who received prison sentences ranging from two to six years. Charges of anti-semitism and overzealous prosecution led to an eleventh-hour clemency by President Bill Clinton, after he was visited by the sect's Rebbe, Rabbi David Twersky, shortly before the end of his term in office.
Media allegations followed, suggesting a quid-pro-quo was arranged with Hillary Clinton, who received 99 percent of the vote in the sect's village. Investigations have not uncovered any wrongdoing, and the matter was dropped.
Geography
New Square is located at 41°8'23" North, 74°1'42" West (41.139745, -74.028197)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.9 km² (0.4 mi²). 0.9 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 4,624 people, 820 households, and 786 families residing in the village. The population density is 4,959.3/km² (12,811.8/mi²). There are 838 housing units at an average density of 898.8/km² (2,321.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the village is 96.95% White, 1.64% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 820 households out of which 77.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 92.6% are married couples living together, 2.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 4.1% are non-families. 3.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 5.64 and the average family size is 5.81.
In the village the population is spread out with 60.5% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 7.1% from 45 to 64, and 2.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 14 years. For every 100 females there are 105.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 104.7 males.
The median income for a household in the village is $12,162, and the median income for a family is $12,208. Males have a median income of $21,696 versus $29,375 for females. The per capita income for the village is $5,237. 72.5% of the population and 67.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 77.3% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.