In the Catskills: A Century of Jewish Experience in "The Mountains"

by Phil Brown (Editor)

Through fiction, memoir, music, photography, and art, In the Catskills highlights the Catskills experience over a century and assesses its continuing impact on American music, comedy, food, culture, and religion. It features selections from such fiction writers as Isaac Bashevis Singer, Herman Wouk, Allegra Goodman and Vivian Gornick; and original contributions from historians, sociologists, and scholars of American and Jewish culture that trace the history of the region, the rise of hotels and bungalow colonies, the wonderful flavors of food and entertainment, and distinctive forms of Jewish religion found in the Mountains.

What was life--the work, the play, the food, the romance--like at Catskills Mountains resorts? These very personal recollections capture the special sense of community and real sense of freedom that developed. Far from the welter of the city, Jewish families learned to vacation and enjoy themselves, to savor the social mobility and cultural space the resorts afforded, and to nourish their culinary and comic traditions. From "Bingo by the Bungalow" by Thane Rosenbaum to "Young Workers in the Hotels" by Phil Brown to "Shoot the Shtrudel to Me Yudel" by Henry Foner, this charming anthology captures an era that has had enormous impact on the Jewish experience and American culture as a whole.

"Whenever I speak about the Catskills," observes editor Phil Brown, "I am struck by the strength of people's desire to relive their experiences in the Mountains." If you've visited the Catskills yourself, or heard stories from your parents or grandparents, or are just interested in this extraordinary time and place, pack your bags and prepare to enjoy your stay In the Catskills.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published July 6, 2002

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in a protestant Midwestern town. Anything Jewish was just as alien to me as Mars, but then I moved to New York City. I discovered a whole subculture of Americana during my seven years there. I spent Passover with a co-worker's family in Long Island, I learned the various Yiddish words that were sprinkled throughout conversation, and I constantly heard reference to "Grossingers" in the "Catskills."

The Catskills was the penultimate summer vacation spot for American Jews, from the end of the 19th century until it's dying days in the 1980's. I heard about it during it's last gasp, when my boss would mention time spent there, and everyone awed at Patrick Swayze as an on-screen dancing instructor at a Catskills hotspot in "Dirty Dancing."

In the Catskills is an interesting and charming work - part history, part memoir, and part fiction. Phil Brown presents a history of the summer destination, what it was like and what it meant to American Jews. Also included are excerpts from such famous Jewish writers like Isaac Bashevis Singer and Herman Wouk, about the Catskills.

Anyone who has a connection will greatly enjoy the memories inspired by this book. Even those who've never been there (like me!), will appreciate learning about this unique part of American history.

[Nancy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with short stories about the history, lifestyle, food, dress, and comedians of the Catskills resorts. I especially loved the essays written by waiters, describing the culture of the dining room and their working conditions. I spent many weeks in the Catskills when I was growing up and this book brought back happy memories.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Catskills highlights the Catskills experience over a century and a half and assesses its continuing impact on American music, comedy, food, culture, and religion. It features selections from such fiction writers as Isaac Bashevis Singer and Herman Wouk. Great early insight as to why the Jew’s settled in these areas and their involvement in agriculture, business and culture. Enjoyable short stories into an are that had been lost.

[Gerald Schiowitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too “Bungalow” intensive.

I purchased the book to trigger my memories of the major hotels in the 1950s, and everything related to them. It delivered that (to some degree), plus an interesting history of the hotels, etc. However, the book devoted probably 70 percent of its content to the (very) detailed experiences of the author’s time spent in bungalows. Definite overload for my likes … but could be exactly what another reader desires.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit outdated but a really fascinating look at the many varied forms of the Jewish experience of the Catskills, from the first boarding houses to the glitzy resort hotels. It’s a collection of essays and excerpts so you can pick and choose, skim or dig deep as you wish. The best parts for me were the reminiscences of growing up spending summers in the mountains - the gangs of kids, the games they played, the bungalow neighborhood that was their world in the summer.

[DAVID WEINERMAN]

interesting, informative,

[Micebyliz]

A collection of personal memories plus a history of the formation of the Catskill community.

[Barbara Morgenroth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than Dirty Dancing. Well, different anyway. An enjoyable look back at a vacation destination for decades. A colorful reminiscence and unfortunately most of the hotels are gone now. The 1938 movie Having a Wonderful Time starring Ginger Rogers, Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Lucille Ball and Red Skelton takes place at a rustic retreat in the Catskills so it was a source of inspiration and talent for many years.