Welcome to
The UnHoly Mile
A targeted campaign is endangering our communities. It's time to speak up.
Who we are:
- Hundreds of Frum families, 8 Shuls, and numerous beautiful communities
- Torah observant families including Litvish, Yeshivish, Modern Orthodox, Chassidish, Rebbeim, Yungerliet, and Baal haBatim
- Our children attend all Yeshivas including YSV, Degel, Cheder, Ashar, Bais Mikrah, Belz, Satmar, Pupa, Viznitz...
- Who want to raise our children with peace and dignity in the communities we love and in houses we can afford
What Is Happening?
Starting in 2017, New Square began an organized effort to undermine and dismantle all neighboring Jewish communities within a one mile radius. Over the past few years, this campaign has turned aggressively bold: flagrantly breaking secular and religious law.
This policy is directed by New Square leadership and is executed by a committee of New Square Chassidim. The leaders explain that their goal is LeShem Shamayim, despite the harm it is causing to the surrounding communities.
What Are They Doing?
New Square established a committee of Skverer Chassidim to buy houses within a one mile radius of New Square
They have purchased over 350 houses, which they refuse to rent to Jewish families
To finance this project, single family homes are illegally rented out by the room to multiple families.
- Homes are purchased using questionable means וד''ל
- Bribery, intimidation, coercion and paying above fair market value
- Homes are often unsanitary, unsafe for residents, and illegally occupied.
- Creating a Chilul Hashem for the occupants, Jewish and non-Jewish residents
Why It Matters?
New Square’s campaign
- Residents of New Square homes have damaged property and engaged in violent acts including stabbings, driving under the influence, and shootings
- Violates Halachic, legal and ethical norms
- Creates a Chilul Hashem for their tenants and Jewish and non-Jewish neighbors
- Prevents frum families from accessing over 350 affordable homes in the Monsey area
This is not politics. Its dangerous, a Chilul Hashem, and hurting Jews and non-Jews alike
Where's the proof?
- Its an open secret that every Skver Chassid knows and doesn’t deny
- The Skver leadership and New Square's mayor admit to it
- It is all recorded in a paper trail online – You can check the addresses and see the homes
We Didn't Want To Publicize This
We have been trying every avenue that we can for the past four years including:
- Direct meetings with the Rebbe's Gabai, the Mayor of New Square, and their housing committee
- Multiple appeals through Rabbanim and askanim, lay leaders, politicians
- Legal action and quiet negotiations
But New Square persisted and increased their efforts while communities and individuals continued to suffer
A Unified Response: Ichud Kehillos of Rockland
In response, a coalition of communities guided by Daas Torah was formed called Ichud Kehillos of Rockland. This effort was supported and guided by many Rabbanim including Rabbi Schabes to stop New Square’s efforts to destroy our communities.
Our mission is to protect our communities using Torah guided approaches.
Within The Mile Updates
Before Asking Us for Charity, Sell One House in the Mile
The sheer chutzpah of asking for money from the very Jews New Square considers too problematic to live near, or
The Mile Only Runs One Way
The Mile Only Runs One Way A new Skver shtiebel opened this past Shabbos in the Nanuet–New City area. According
A personal letter in response to Skvers PR tactics
Many of you may have seen the cover story in Mishpacha over Shavuos. Icouldn’t bring myself to read it. I
What can you do?
FAQ's
What You Need to Know (Quick Summary)
New Square leadership has aggressively pursued a policy since 2017 to block other Jews from buying homes within a mile of their village. Their primary purpose it appears, is to maintain strict religious isolation.
They use threats, intimidation, bribery, overpayment, and discriminatory/illegal renting practices to control nearby housing.
No. It violates federal Fair Housing and Racketeering laws, mortgage regulations, and local building codes.
The highest levels of leadership in New Square direct the initiative, supported by a group of community activists.
It undermines fair housing, is hurting several
neighboring Jewish communities, and causes serious Chillul Hashem.
When Jews and Non-Jews alike hear about this, they are appalled and
typically cannot wrap their heads around something like this taking
place.
Ichud Kehillos of Rockland was formed to push back
in a substantial way, under the guidance of Daas Torah.