From the Phoenicia Diner to the history of the Borscht Belt in the Catskills

We took a trip upstate to Ellenville, NY to learn about the history of the Catskills and the Borscht Belt Era. The Borscht Belt is a nickname for the Catskills region of upstate New York, which became famous for its summer bungalow colonies and resorts that, beginning in the post-World War II era, were frequented by Jewish families. At the time, Jews were excluded from many mainstream holiday destinations, so Jews — and Jewish New Yorkers, in particular — built vacation spots in parts of Sulliva

Borscht Belt museum celebrating historic area built by American Jews

The Rise and Fall of the Borscht Belt: America’s Vacation Capital

Borscht Belt Museum on Reels

Borscht Belt Museum on Reels

Borscht Belt's influence on Jewish comedy celebrated | ALL ARTS Dispatch

SAVE THE DATE ✨ Third Annual Borscht Belt Fest 📍 Ellenville, NY 🗓 July 24–26, 2026 #BorschtBeltIsBack Comedy & culture, the Catskills way, this summer. Borscht Belt Fest returns for its fourth year, celebrating the legacy, laughter, and lasting cultural impact of the Borscht Belt resort era. Presented by the Catskills Borscht Belt Museum, the festival honors this region’s history as a refuge from bigotry, the cradle of stand-up comedy, and a cultural force that left deep imprints on America. M