Monday, September 8, 2008

New Chassidishe Communities: South Fallsburg, Swan Lake

A new, all-year development has been announced in South Fallsburg, with large condominium apartments priced at $120,000, with down payments less than $12,000. In combination with gemach loans, monthly "mortgage" payments will be less than $1,000. South Fallsburg already has two large frum developments: Yeshiva Zichron Moshe, founded in 1955, presently led by its roshei yeshiva Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel and Rav Abba Gorelick, as well as the Kiryas Vishnitz in nearby Kiamesha Lake, led since 2002 by Rav Mendel Hager, rosh yeshiva and son of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey. More than 300 frum families (2,000 people) live in South Fallsburg, in addition to almost 400 yeshiva bochurim, as well as thousands of summer residents who own homes there.

On Sunday afternoon, August 17, 2008, hundreds of Chassidishe families visited a new all-year development being built in Swan Lake. It is located one mile off of Exit 101 on Route 55. Initially, 108 homes are being built, representing the development's first phase. The homes will be ready for occupancy before Pesach (April) 2009. In addition to the homes, shuls, yeshivos, girl schools, mikvaos, stores, and a medical center have been started. The development is not exclusive to any Chassidishe group. Prices for the large homes on large properties are 25% lower than comparable houses in New York City's Chassidishe communities. Swan Lake, too, has all the requisite components for a successful new observant community.

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