NEW WINDSOR, NY – A Hasidic community based in Rockland County has purchased the former St. Christopher’s children’s services property in New Windsor for approximately $13 million during a bankruptcy sale. The new owners intend to transform the 22-acre site into a yeshiva campus that will serve hundreds of students from the Skver Hasidic dynasty, a religious sect headquartered in the Village of New Square, Town of Ramapo.
According to court documents, the property was purchased by Blooming Grove LLC, which lists its address in New City, Rockland County. The purchase marks a major transition in the use and purpose of the historic site, which had long served vulnerable youth as part of St. Christopher’s, Inc., a nonprofit child welfare organization.
From Social Services to Religious Education
Founded in 1881, St. Christopher’s had a long legacy of providing residential and educational services to at-risk youth. At the time of its closure, the organization was serving approximately 80 children and 170 families through programs that spanned multiple locations, including facilities in Dobbs Ferry and Valhalla.
One of its most critical initiatives in New Windsor was Welcoming Arms for Unaccompanied Minors, a shelter for migrant children who arrived in the United States without parents or guardians. The facility was part of a national network assisting children through transitional housing, education, and emotional support.
However, the organization filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2023, citing between $10 million and $50 million in assets, and $1 million to $10 million in liabilities. A related entity, the McQuade Foundation, filed a separate petition listing similar debt and asset figures.
The bankruptcy proceedings opened the door for the sale of the New Windsor property, which attracted interest due to its size, facilities, and proximity to Rockland County.
New Owners and Future Plans
The new owners from the Skver Hasidic community plan to repurpose the site into a large yeshiva, or Jewish religious school, which will serve hundreds of boys and young men. The Skver sect is known for its devout adherence to Orthodox Jewish traditions and has seen significant growth in its communities across the region, particularly in New Square.
While specific development plans have not yet been disclosed publicly, the property’s infrastructure—including dormitory-style housing and educational buildings—makes it well-suited for the yeshiva’s intended use.
The purchase by Blooming Grove LLC continues a broader trend of real estate acquisitions by Hasidic communities seeking to expand educational and religious institutions outside the increasingly dense Rockland County municipalities.
Community Response and Outlook
The transition from a child services facility to a religious educational institution represents a major change for New Windsor. While some community members expressed surprise at the sale, others are waiting to see how the development will affect local zoning, infrastructure, and services.
Because the property will be used for religious education, it is expected that it may qualify for tax-exempt status, potentially reducing its contribution to local tax rolls. This issue has already prompted debates in nearby towns experiencing similar transitions.
Despite concerns, supporters note that the purchase ensures the property will continue to serve children, albeit in a very different capacity. Instead of vulnerable youth from the child welfare system, it will now provide religious instruction and boarding for students from the Skver community.
What’s Next?
As of now, there has been no formal timeline shared for when the yeshiva will open or when construction or renovation might begin. Local officials have not yet commented on potential zoning or permitting reviews, though such a large project will likely undergo municipal scrutiny.
The sale underscores how shifting demographics and financial challenges continue to reshape the institutional landscape in the Hudson Valley region. What once was a beacon of social services is now poised to become a hub of religious life and education, reflecting the evolving needs and priorities of the communities that surround it.
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