The Borscht Belt Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Catskills resort era, and celebrating its history as a refuge from bigotry, the cradle of stand-up comedy and a cultural catalyst that changed America.
Live Events at the Museum
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JEWISH CHESTNUTS: A Christmas Hannukah Holiday Mashup at the Museum
Sunday, Dec. 21, 4 - 6 pm
Did you know that White Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Bab and many more Christmas hits were written by Jewish composers?
Join us on the penultimate night of Hanukkah for a festive and informative evening with Larry Bush and Susan Griss of the Starlight Duo as they play hits from the Great American Songbook, served with a dollop of history.
Light the menorah. Have some egg nog. Latkes & light refreshments served.
90 Canal Street, Ellenville.
Suggested donation $15
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MARCH 21: JUDY GOLD LIVE
The outrageously funny comedian Judy Gold returns to Ellenville for two up-close-and-personal shows at Shadowland Stages.
A two-time Emmy Award winner with specials on HBO and Comedy Central, Judy is known for her edgy wit, sharp timing and infamous crowd work.
Judy was part of Netflix's “Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration” and hosts the hit podcast, Kill Me Now with Judy Gold.
Judy also guest stars as Sophie in the much-anticipated Apple TV+ drama series Extrapolations, Hulu’s Life and Beth, and Peacock’s Girls 5 Eva. She has had recurring roles on Comedy Central's Awkwafina, Netflix’s Friends from College and TBS’ Search Party.
Museum Hours
Wednesday to Sunday
11 am - 5 pm
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
90 Canal St., Ellenville, NY
Admission: $15 for adults
$10 for Wawarsing/Ellenville residents with local I.D.
Free: 18 and under.
Questions? Email info@borschtbeltmuseum.org or call 845-879-3561
The Borscht Belt Resort Era
For much of the 20th century, urban dwellers, many of them Jews, migrated en masse each summer to the Catskill mountains 90 miles north of New York City. They were seeking escape from the pestilence and sweltering tenements of the city, but also from rampant antisemitism that barred Jews from most hotels.
The vacation world they created included nearly 1,000 resorts, bungalow colonies and boarding houses, and a vibrant nightlife that drew the nation’s top entertainers — and a parade of sports figures, political leaders and civil rights activists.
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Engaging, Interactive, Educational
The Borscht Belt Museum occupies the historic Home National Bank, a 1928 Neo-Georgian gem that has strong links to the Borscht Belt era. The Home National Bank was one of the few financial institutions willing to lend to the region's Jewish hoteliers and bungalow colony owners in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.
Actor and comedian Danny Kaye with resort owner Jennie Grossinger.
Boxer Floyd Patterson trains at Kutsher’s for a title fight.
President Lyndon B. Johnson meets Homowack Lodge owners Irv and Florence Blickstein during a visit to the Catskills in 1966.