New York Shtetl: In America, but Not of America

The sign at the border of Kiryas Joel is a distinctly American artifact. Welcome to Kiryas Joel, it says in boisterous script; then it gets down to business in block capitals. Within the town, visitors should MAINTAIN GENDER SEPARATION IN ALL PUBLIC AREAS. Below this and other warnings, the sign repeats its exhortation in Spanish, ending with por favor Disfrute de Su Visita (please enjoy your visit).