Rabbi David Twersky (born October 28, 1940[1]), originally spelled Twerski, is the Grand Rabbi and spiritual leader of the village of New Square, New York, and of Skverer Hasidism worldwide.
David Twersky | |
|---|---|
 Skverer Rebbe dancing with Torah (2005) | |
| Title | Skverer Rebbe of New Square |
| Personal | |
| Born | David Twersky October 28, 1940 Iaşi, Romania |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Nationality | Romanian American |
| Children | 7 |
| Jewish leader | |
| Predecessor | Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky |
| Began | April 1968 |
| Ended | present |
| Dynasty | Skver |
Early life edit
Twersky was born in Iaşi, Romania, in 1940. In 1945, at the end of World War II, his family moved to Bucharest. In 1947, they emigrated to the United States, where they settled in Borough Park, Brooklyn, and later in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Twersky's father, Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky, established the all-Hasidic village of New Square in Rockland County in 1954.
Family edit
At the age of 18, Twersky married the late Chaya Chana Hager, the elder daughter of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Israel, Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager. The couple had four sons and three daughters. Twersky's wife Chaya Chana died in 2024, and was predeceased by her daughter Tziporah Goldman, who died in 2022.
Lineage edit
Lineage from Ba'al Shem Tov edit
- Ba'al Shem Tov
- Rabbi Tzvi
- Rabbi Aaron of Tituv
- Rabbi Tzvi of Tituv (Hershele Skverer)
- Chana Sima (married Rabbi Yitzchak Twerski of Skvira)
- Rabbi David Twersky of Skvira
- Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky, previous Rebbe of Skver
- Rabbi David Twersky
- Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky, previous Rebbe of Skver
- Rabbi David Twersky of Skvira
- Chana Sima (married Rabbi Yitzchak Twerski of Skvira)
- Rabbi Tzvi of Tituv (Hershele Skverer)
- Rabbi Aaron of Tituv
- Rabbi Tzvi
Lineage from Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twerski of Chernobyl edit
- Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twerski of Chernobyl
- Rabbi Mordechai Twersky of Chernobyl
- Rabbi Yitzchak Twersky of Skvira
- Rabbi David Twersky of Skvira
- Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky, previous Rebbe of Skver
- Rabbi David Twersky
- Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky, previous Rebbe of Skver
- Rabbi David Twersky of Skvira
- Rabbi Yitzchak Twersky of Skvira
- Rabbi Mordechai Twersky of Chernobyl
As Grand Rabbi edit
In April 1968, following his father's death, Twersky assumed the leadership of New Square, and of Skverer Hasidim worldwide.[2] According to The Jewish Daily Forward, most New Square residents "revere their rebbe as a Saint, and look to him for guidance on all issues", showing their devotion, singing and praying at his weekly "tish".[3] The Forward also reports that Twersky lights his Hanukkah candles on a large sterling silver menorah that a wealthy follower bought him.[4] He exerts authority through a body of about 15 persons appointed by him, known as "the Kehilla".[3]
Political influence edit
As in many Hasidic communities, the community in New Square tends to exercise its voting power as a bloc, under the guidance of the Grand Rabbi. He usually supports incumbents or those likely to win, putting the community in a good position to receive government support.
In 1992, New Square voted 822 for President George Bush, to 93 for Bill Clinton. In 1996, voters supported President Clinton over Bob Dole, 1,110 to 31. In 1994, voters backed Mario Cuomo against George Pataki, 907 to 63, and in 1998, voters backed Governor Pataki over Democrat Peter Vallone, 1,132 to 8. In November 2000, vice president Al Gore received more votes than George W. Bush, 1,388 to 25, after Mr. Gore visited Twersky in February of the year. During the 2000 Senate campaign, First Lady Hillary Clinton visited Rabbi Twersky and his wife in New Square, while running for the U.S. Senate, and received nearly 100 percent of the local vote. Twersky was invited to the White House in December 2000 (Hanukkah 5761),[6] and secured commutations for the criminal sentences of four Skver Hasidim, who had been convicted of defrauding the government of more than 30 million dollars to benefit the educational institutions of New Square.[7]
Dismissing allegations of sexual abuse edit
Rabbi Twersky has been accused by multiple members of his community of dismissing allegations of sexual abuse of children by other community members and even assisting accused offenders of evading prosecution.[8]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Grand Rabbi David Twersky, Geni.com
- ^ "Arson attack exposes New York shtetl". Arizona Jewish Post. June 23, 2011.
- ^ a b Andrew Tobin (June 8, 2011). "New Square: Where Tradition and the Rebbe Rule". The Jewish Daily Forward.
- ^ Shulem Deen (May 30, 2011). "What Is Really Happening in New Square?". The Jewish Daily Forward.
- ^ "Pardon Me, Boys". Time. February 25, 2001. Archived from the original on March 9, 2001.
- ^ Rosenberg, Shimon (Nov 2013). "The Rebbe & President Clinton". Zman. Vol. 5, no. 47. pp. 142–144.
- ^ Larry Cohler-Esses; Joel Siegel (February 12, 2001). "The Wooing of Hillary Clinton. Pardons on mind of New Square rabbi". Daily News.
- ^ Frimet Goldberger (December 3, 2004). "Hasidic Enclave Keeps Its Secrets Amid Elusive Rebbe's Tight Control". Forward.
External links edit
- Yitzchok Frankfurter (June 5, 2011). "New York - A Visit To The Village of New Square By Ami Magazine". Vos Iz Neias.
- Yosef Feffer (August 9, 2009). "Skverer: "Gadol Yehyeh Habayis Hazeh" In Kiryat Skverer, just before Rosh Hashana, a new hall will be dedicated, and the Admor, shilta, will hold his tischen there". Archived from the original on 2011-10-08.
- Complaint Rottenberg vs. Twersky and Spitzer. Supreme Court of the State of New York