creating objects from JS closure: should i use the “new” keyword?

No, it’s not the same thing. Consider when using instanceof:

function C1() {
    return {};
}

function C2() {
}

var c1 = new C1();
var c2 = new C2();
alert(c1 instanceof C1); // false; wha...?
alert(c2 instanceof C2); // true, as you'd expect.

Here’s a demo.

So instead, create them by assigning to this, possibly with a safeguard to prevent forgotten news.

function Constructor() {
    var privateProperty = 'private';
    var privateMethod = function() {
        alert('Called from private method');
    };

    this.publicProperty = "I'm public!";
    this.publicMethod = function() {
        alert('Called from public method');
    };
    this.getter = privateMethod;
}

Even better, use the prototype when possible:

function Constructor() {
    var privateProperty = 'private';
    var privateMethod = function() {
        alert('Called from private method');
    };

    this.getter = privateMethod;
}

Constructor.prototype.publicProperty = "I'm public!";
Constructor.prototype.publicMethod = function() {
    alert('Called from public method');
};