Latest News
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Borscht Belt Museum Receives $50,000 Grant from UJA-Federation of New York to Expand its Flagship Summer Event
Ellenville, NY – May 12, 2025 – The Catskills Borscht Belt Museum, a nonprofit cultural institution 90 minutes north of Manhattan, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $50,000 grant from UJA-Federation of New York.
This generous support will help the museum expand and improve its marquee summer event, Borscht Belt Fest, which takes place on July 26 & 27, 2025, in Ellenville, NY.
Since its inception three years ago, Borscht Belt Fest has become a beloved regional cultural extravaganza, drawing thousands of attendees from across the Hudson Valley, the Catskills and the entire New York metropolitan region.
The weekend-long event celebrates Jewish-American culture and cuisine with stand-up comedy, art exhibitions, panel discussions, live music and a street fair with dozens of vendors offering a rich array of culinary classics.
The event, which takes place at venues all across Ellenville, highlights the vibrant legacy of the Catskills resort era, the birthplace of American stand-up comedy and a refuge for countless Jewish families who had been barred from most of the region's gentile-owned hotels in the early 20th century
With UJA's support, the museum will professionalize the largely volunteer-run event and ensure its future success.
"We are deeply grateful to UJA-Federation of New York for recognizing the potential of Borscht Belt Fest and its vital role in fostering Jewish joy and community, something that's more important than ever," said Andrew Jacobs, board president of the Borscht Belt Museum. "This grant will allow us to take the Borscht Belt Fest to new heights and create meaningful opportunities for Jews from all walks of life to come together and celebrate their shared cultural heritage."
About the Borscht Belt Museum
The Borscht Belt Museum is dedicated to preserving the rich cultural history of the Catskills resort era, celebrating its legacy as a sanctuary for Jewish families, the birthplace of modern stand-up comedy, and a region that shaped American culture in profound ways. Through exhibits, events, and programs, the museum keeps the spirit of the Catskills alive, sharing its stories with new generations.
About UJA-Federation of New York
Working with a network of hundreds of nonprofits, UJA extends its reach from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching the lives of 5.5 million people annually. Every year, UJA-Federation provides approximately $180 million in grants.
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Jacobs, Board President
Borscht Belt Museum
Phone: (917) 913-4660
Email: Andrew@borschtbeltmuseum.org
Websites: www.borschtbeltmuseum.org www.borschtbeltfest.org and www.borschtbeltfilmfest.org