ELLENVILLE – The Borscht Belt Fest in Ellenville is an annual summer celebration that brings the iconic culture, comedy, and cuisine of the historic Catskills resort era back to life. Organized by the Borscht Belt Museum, the weekend festival transformed downtown Ellenville with live standup comedy, street markets, retro music, and classic Jewish American eats like pastrami and pickles.
The museum president, Drew Jacobs, says that this event is meant to unify all people.
“We celebrate the diversity of America and how important all that diversity is to work creating what is at least what we celebrate as American culture, mainstream American culture.”
Museum board member Barry Lewis talked about his memories as a kid going to the Catskills every summer from Brooklyn.
“I was one of these people who, you know, was lucky enough not to have to spend my summers on tar beach, but was able to be in the Catskills.” Working as a waiter there, he said, “You were able to pay for your entire college education working 1 or 2 summers.”
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