David Twersky (Skverer Rebbe)

David Twersky
Skverer Rebbe off New Square.
Skverer Rebbe dancing with Torah (2005)
Term	April 1968 – present
Full name	David Twersky
Born	October 28, 1940 Iaşi, Romania
Dynasty	Skver
Predecessor	Yakov Yosef Twersky
Wife	Chana Hager

Rabbi David Twersky (born October 28, 1940), originally spelled Twerski, is the Grand Rabbi and spiritual leader of the village of New Square, New York and of Skverer Hasidism worldwide.

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, New York in Rockland County in 1954.

At the age of 18, Twersky married Chana Hager, the elder daughter of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Israel, Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Hager.

Rabbi Aaron Menachem Mendel Twersky is the eldest son of the Skverer Rebbe. He is seen to be continuing the Skvere leadership and is often sent as an emissary of his father.

Twersky claims to be the nearest living descendant of the Ba'al Shem Tov, and of the Ba'al Shem Tov's disciple Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl.

In April 1968, following his father's death, Twersky assumed the leadership of New Square and of Skverer Hasidim worldwide. 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”.” The Forward also reports, that Twersky lights his Hanukkah candles on a massive six-foot-tall sterling silver menorah that a wealthy follower bought him.” Twersky's word is considered law in New Square. He rarely speaks publicly, and exerts authority through a body of about 15 persons appointed by him known as “the kehillah”.