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Growing Up at Grossinger's
"To be devoured in one non-stop gulp...fascinating reading."—The New York Post From 1919 to 1986, Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel provided a summer retreat from the city heat for New York's Jews, and entertained the great, the near-great, and the not so great, Jews and Gentiles alike. A melting pot of the Borscht Belt, sports, and show-biz worlds, loyal visitors included Red Buttons, Rocky Marciano, Eddie Fisher, and Jackie Robinson. Tania Grossinger grew up there. In her fascinating insider's account of life in the hospitality industry, she sheds light on how hotel children keep up with the frenetic pace of life, and how they come to grips with the outside world (which intrudes now and again), sex (happening in every room), and, occasionally, their intellectual interests. Growing Up at Grossinger's is both a wonderful coming-of-age story and a sentimental reading of a chapter of the Jewish experience in America that has now closed. 25 b/w photographs.
Skyhorse Publishing, along with our Arcade, Good Books, Sports Publishing, and Yucca imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Our list includes biographies on well-known historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, Nelson Mandela, and Alexander Graham Bell, as well as villains from history, such as Heinrich Himmler, John Wayne Gacy, and O. J. Simpson. We have also published survivor stories of World War II, memoirs about overcoming adversity, first-hand tales of adventure, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
Skyhorse Publishing, along with our Arcade, Good Books, Sports Publishing, and Yucca imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Our list includes biographies on well-known historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, Nelson Mandela, and Alexander Graham Bell, as well as villains from history, such as Heinrich Himmler, John Wayne Gacy, and O. J. Simpson. We have also published survivor stories of World War II, memoirs about overcoming adversity, first-hand tales of adventure, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 1974
269 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Tania Grossinger
7 books6 followersI am the author of "Growing Up at Grossinger's" (Skyhorse Publishing, 2008), a memoir about my adventures growing up in the most famous celebrity oriented resort hotel in New York's Catskill Mountains and am currently promoting it via media and public appearances (see www.taniagrossinger.com)978 "
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 1, 2021
I’ve always been fascinated by the Borscht Belt hotels, but my family never went to any when I was young, and by the time I was an adult, they were on their way out. I’d drive through the Catskills on my way to visit my husband’s family upstate, and see the fading signs on Route 17.
This book by Tania Grossinger is a well-written memoir, the story of her years growing up at the hotel as a “poor relation.” There’s interesting detail about the family dynamics, the way the children of the family interacted with one another and the guests, and how growing up in this environment affected Tania. By the end I was a little tired of reading about all of the celebrities Tania knew from her years at the hotel, even though she doesn’t really brag about it - it was just her life.
If you want to read about the world of the Catskill hotels overall, their rise and fall, this may not be the book for you, but as a memoir, it’s quite well done.
This book by Tania Grossinger is a well-written memoir, the story of her years growing up at the hotel as a “poor relation.” There’s interesting detail about the family dynamics, the way the children of the family interacted with one another and the guests, and how growing up in this environment affected Tania. By the end I was a little tired of reading about all of the celebrities Tania knew from her years at the hotel, even though she doesn’t really brag about it - it was just her life.
If you want to read about the world of the Catskill hotels overall, their rise and fall, this may not be the book for you, but as a memoir, it’s quite well done.
October 3, 2020
I wanted to read this after seeing the Catskill resort portrayed on Prime Video's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Turns out they did their research because I found much that was familiar while reading this memoir. I had always heard about the Catskill resorts (but have never seen Dirty Dancing) and accordingly to the author Grossinger's was one of the first and most well-known.
I enjoyed the book for the way the author recreated the 1940s and 1950s time period, values, and celebrities, and I could easily imagine my East Coast relatives spending their summer vacations there.
In addition to the behind-the-scene stories of how Grossinger's was run, the author shared her personal life and experiences, both with family and friends, many of them celebrities. I found this personal aspect to be somewhat poignant and would have liked a story that focused on her life with Grossinger's as a backdrop, instead of the other way around.
I enjoyed the book for the way the author recreated the 1940s and 1950s time period, values, and celebrities, and I could easily imagine my East Coast relatives spending their summer vacations there.
In addition to the behind-the-scene stories of how Grossinger's was run, the author shared her personal life and experiences, both with family and friends, many of them celebrities. I found this personal aspect to be somewhat poignant and would have liked a story that focused on her life with Grossinger's as a backdrop, instead of the other way around.
October 5, 2020
I found this to be an interesting book about an only child growing up as a “poor relation” of the owners at a famous Catskills hotel in the 50s & 60s. I like books that delve into the reality of situations that would be hard for an outsider to get a real sense of and this book fit the bill. The author did a great job of describing life behind-the-scenes & included so much information about staff life, guest life & the inner workings of a huge resort. A fascinating & quick read I’m glad to have come across in one of the “daily deal” emails I receive.
August 31, 2020
Grossinger's was one of the most iconic Catskills resorts in the 1950's - 1960's, often said to be the inspiration for Dirty Dancing. Growing Up at Grossinger's tells the story of Tania Grossinger. Tania's father, part of the Grossinger family, passed away young, and Tania and her mother moved to Grossinger's. Her mother worked at the resort and Tania grew up there.
I wanted to read this book because I love mid-century nostalgia, find the old resorts fascinating (we stayed in similar places in the south), and also love Dirty Dancing.
This is a wonderfully nostalgic read! I loved the history of Grossinger's and the details of how it was run on a day-to-day basis. Stories about the famous guests were also enjoyable - especially the wonderful and kind Jackie Robinson.
Part of what makes an autobiography enjoyable is liking the narrator and the narrator's voice. Tania did a LOT of complaining in this book about her relatively privileged life. Most of the complaints were about her mother, who was a hard working single mom. There was also quite a bit of bratty kid/teen behavior.
All that said, I enjoyed the story of Grossinger's much more than the autobiographical elements of this book. I think other fans of 1950's - '60's nostalgia (especially Dirty Dancing fans) will enjoy it too.
I wanted to read this book because I love mid-century nostalgia, find the old resorts fascinating (we stayed in similar places in the south), and also love Dirty Dancing.
This is a wonderfully nostalgic read! I loved the history of Grossinger's and the details of how it was run on a day-to-day basis. Stories about the famous guests were also enjoyable - especially the wonderful and kind Jackie Robinson.
Part of what makes an autobiography enjoyable is liking the narrator and the narrator's voice. Tania did a LOT of complaining in this book about her relatively privileged life. Most of the complaints were about her mother, who was a hard working single mom. There was also quite a bit of bratty kid/teen behavior.
All that said, I enjoyed the story of Grossinger's much more than the autobiographical elements of this book. I think other fans of 1950's - '60's nostalgia (especially Dirty Dancing fans) will enjoy it too.
December 5, 2009
mildly interesting, especially if you and your family frequented the Catskills in the 50's and 60's. there were some revealing tidbits about famous people, (debbie reynolds was not the sweet thing that we all thought she was; jennie grossinger and her husband were first cousins, etc.) my father-in-law's picture is included in the picture portfolio which made the book a bit more special to us.
April 30, 2022
Grossinger's was one of the most famous Borsch Belt hotels back in the day. The movie Dirty Dancing was based on Grossinger's. This memoir, written in the mid seventies, is all about what it was like to grow up there during the 1940's and early 50's.
Tania and her mother were the poor relations of Jennie Grossinger, who ran the hotel for many many years. Tania's father died when she was an infant in 1935 and her mother struggled to make ends meet and also raise a child alone (her mother was Austrian and had no relatives in the USA). In 1941, Jennie offered Tania's mother a job as social hostess, along with free room & board for them. Which on one hand is great, but on deeper reflection, not so great.
It seems that the role of social hostess entailed constantly working and being "on" so Tania was left alone. A LOT. When her mom wasn't working, she wanted to be left alone. They didn't have a home but moved around staff rooms quite frequently, so their was no stability in terms of location either. Tania ate alone, she did homework alone, she put herself to bed alone. You get the picture. Sure, she was around a ton of staff and guests but no one really noticed or cared on a parental level of care. I was surprised that Tania only mentioned 3 creepy sexual encounters when she was a child. As a lone little girl with male guests and staff changing frequently, she presented quite the vulnerable target for any pervs who might be around. She actually told her mom about one of the scary encounters and her mother told her to forget about it and never mention it again. Needless to say, nothing happened to the man. Ah, the good ol' days that people are always talking about - back when children were 'safe'. Really abuse has always happened but like with Tania's mother, it was brushed under the carpet.
Tania's creepy story of her first love when she was 14 and the hotel musician was 24 was another sad chapter in her life. I completely understand why Tania believes it was fine. She was absolutely starved for attention. Ugh. It went on for three years - secretly of course, because the man knew what was going on was wrong.
I thought the memoir would be more like a fun Eloise type of book. The light-heartened shenanigans of a child living at a hotel. Tania does write a lot about the pack of kids who also lived at the hotel - kids of other staff members. They did run around in a gang and have adventures; some fun and others more vicious. There was a real lack of any adult oversight going on. Joining the staff kids every summer would be the kids of guests who returned each year. Some of the guest kids were included in the gang, while others were bullied mercilessly.
I thought the memoir started to flag once Tania left for college - at the age of 15, almost 16! Her mother had Tania skip three grades because she was so smart. Of course, that ended up isolating her at school just as she was isolated at home. She started high school when she should have been in the 5th grade. Not a great way to make friends with peers.
She sounded absolutely horrible at Brandeis, very full of herself, but I get it. If she wasn't going to build herself up, no one would. Her mother, of course, never visited her once at school. Tania was the classic overachieving people pleaser. She had lots of acquaintances but few real friends, it seems. She drifted after college, unable to really plant roots because she had never had them and didn't understand how to do that. She got a job as a traveling PR person, which played to her strengths of surface level connection.
Eventually she settled into a little apartment in Greenwich Village. I googled her after finishing the book. She died in 2015, still living in that rent controlled Christopher St apartment. Never had kids. In the memoir she married for about two months before leaving her husband. That was her only marriage. She had a long term relationship with a married man for many years. Worked a variety of jobs. Was active in her neighborhood and knew lots of people. So a happy life?
This was a quick easy read and fascinating for the historical glimpse of a world now gone. She name drops a lot of famous people of the era, which I found enjoyable and interesting. Eddie Fisher and Danny Kaye were bad tippers. Kim Novack was an idiot. Jackie Robinson was amazing, a great human being. Rocky Marciano was nice to her but racist to the Hispanic staff. Jayne Mansfield was a great mother and very smart. Milton Berle's mother was a jerk. Obviously, if you don't know who any of those people are, this book would make for deathly dull reading.
Tania and her mother were the poor relations of Jennie Grossinger, who ran the hotel for many many years. Tania's father died when she was an infant in 1935 and her mother struggled to make ends meet and also raise a child alone (her mother was Austrian and had no relatives in the USA). In 1941, Jennie offered Tania's mother a job as social hostess, along with free room & board for them. Which on one hand is great, but on deeper reflection, not so great.
It seems that the role of social hostess entailed constantly working and being "on" so Tania was left alone. A LOT. When her mom wasn't working, she wanted to be left alone. They didn't have a home but moved around staff rooms quite frequently, so their was no stability in terms of location either. Tania ate alone, she did homework alone, she put herself to bed alone. You get the picture. Sure, she was around a ton of staff and guests but no one really noticed or cared on a parental level of care. I was surprised that Tania only mentioned 3 creepy sexual encounters when she was a child. As a lone little girl with male guests and staff changing frequently, she presented quite the vulnerable target for any pervs who might be around. She actually told her mom about one of the scary encounters and her mother told her to forget about it and never mention it again. Needless to say, nothing happened to the man. Ah, the good ol' days that people are always talking about - back when children were 'safe'. Really abuse has always happened but like with Tania's mother, it was brushed under the carpet.
Tania's creepy story of her first love when she was 14 and the hotel musician was 24 was another sad chapter in her life. I completely understand why Tania believes it was fine. She was absolutely starved for attention. Ugh. It went on for three years - secretly of course, because the man knew what was going on was wrong.
I thought the memoir would be more like a fun Eloise type of book. The light-heartened shenanigans of a child living at a hotel. Tania does write a lot about the pack of kids who also lived at the hotel - kids of other staff members. They did run around in a gang and have adventures; some fun and others more vicious. There was a real lack of any adult oversight going on. Joining the staff kids every summer would be the kids of guests who returned each year. Some of the guest kids were included in the gang, while others were bullied mercilessly.
I thought the memoir started to flag once Tania left for college - at the age of 15, almost 16! Her mother had Tania skip three grades because she was so smart. Of course, that ended up isolating her at school just as she was isolated at home. She started high school when she should have been in the 5th grade. Not a great way to make friends with peers.
She sounded absolutely horrible at Brandeis, very full of herself, but I get it. If she wasn't going to build herself up, no one would. Her mother, of course, never visited her once at school. Tania was the classic overachieving people pleaser. She had lots of acquaintances but few real friends, it seems. She drifted after college, unable to really plant roots because she had never had them and didn't understand how to do that. She got a job as a traveling PR person, which played to her strengths of surface level connection.
Eventually she settled into a little apartment in Greenwich Village. I googled her after finishing the book. She died in 2015, still living in that rent controlled Christopher St apartment. Never had kids. In the memoir she married for about two months before leaving her husband. That was her only marriage. She had a long term relationship with a married man for many years. Worked a variety of jobs. Was active in her neighborhood and knew lots of people. So a happy life?
This was a quick easy read and fascinating for the historical glimpse of a world now gone. She name drops a lot of famous people of the era, which I found enjoyable and interesting. Eddie Fisher and Danny Kaye were bad tippers. Kim Novack was an idiot. Jackie Robinson was amazing, a great human being. Rocky Marciano was nice to her but racist to the Hispanic staff. Jayne Mansfield was a great mother and very smart. Milton Berle's mother was a jerk. Obviously, if you don't know who any of those people are, this book would make for deathly dull reading.
September 10, 2020
This was an interesting memoir that provided a unique perspective of living year-around at a Catskill resort in the '40s-'50s. Tania Grossinger's father was a Grossinger cousin who died when she was young. Her Viennese mother then went on to become a successful business woman in California, but was eventually convinced by one of the owners of Grossinger's to come work there as a social hostess.
It was a demanding, time-consuming job, and she and Tania did not have the money or privileges that some of the other Grossinger family members had. They were also usually given poor room accomodations. Nevertheless, life was not dull or slow at Grossinger's. Most of the author's childhood was spent with other children, which was normal back then, as well as with those who worked at and visited Grossinger's, not with her mother.
Her highly educated mother was tired at the end of the day and obviously wanted quiet time. Plus, she simply did not involve herself that deeply in her daughter's life. This is not a mommy bashing memoir, however. It's actually a mostly upbeat look at both the exciting and mundane things that go on at resort, that has countless guest coming and going all year long. It's looked at both from a child's perspective and from the perspective of the adult Tania, who went on to attend Brandeis University. Happy to finally get away, the author would one day look back and view Grossinger's as home. It wasn't a perfect home or perfect childhood, but both were hers.
It was a demanding, time-consuming job, and she and Tania did not have the money or privileges that some of the other Grossinger family members had. They were also usually given poor room accomodations. Nevertheless, life was not dull or slow at Grossinger's. Most of the author's childhood was spent with other children, which was normal back then, as well as with those who worked at and visited Grossinger's, not with her mother.
Her highly educated mother was tired at the end of the day and obviously wanted quiet time. Plus, she simply did not involve herself that deeply in her daughter's life. This is not a mommy bashing memoir, however. It's actually a mostly upbeat look at both the exciting and mundane things that go on at resort, that has countless guest coming and going all year long. It's looked at both from a child's perspective and from the perspective of the adult Tania, who went on to attend Brandeis University. Happy to finally get away, the author would one day look back and view Grossinger's as home. It wasn't a perfect home or perfect childhood, but both were hers.
November 18, 2017
A lovely memoir
What a great story! The good stuff and the bad of being one of the lesser Grossingers living and working at the famous resort in the Catskills. Funny, intelligently written, great name dropping, the inside scoop. What a blessing in many ways that the author had a chance to observe, meet and befriend quite a few of the late greats. And what a powerful network and support system to have as she made her way educationally and career wise. The letter from Jackie Robinson got me all choked up. A very mature and thoughtful accounting of an interesting life.
What a great story! The good stuff and the bad of being one of the lesser Grossingers living and working at the famous resort in the Catskills. Funny, intelligently written, great name dropping, the inside scoop. What a blessing in many ways that the author had a chance to observe, meet and befriend quite a few of the late greats. And what a powerful network and support system to have as she made her way educationally and career wise. The letter from Jackie Robinson got me all choked up. A very mature and thoughtful accounting of an interesting life.
January 12, 2021
A light, entertaining, and 'quick read' book is what I wanted to read in between meatier, more thought provoking books. That's exactly what I got in this book. There wasn't as much 'name dropping' as I originally thought there would be but the stories Ms.Grossinger shared of entertainment and sport celebrities were interesting and graciously told. The ending was a let down. It was very abrupt and it left a lot of loose ends. I'm glad I read this book but I'm not inclined to read any more of Ms. Grossinger's writing.
July 15, 2020
I never had the privilege of visiting or staying at Grossinger’s. I lived in Arizona. However I have heard stories about it all my life. I hope I would have been welcomed into Tania’s group, we are very close in age. However, I can eat at Grossinger’s every night if I wish thanks to Jennie Grossinger’s cookbook. I have made every recipe at least 10 times or more. This book brought the times & the hotel to life & it was wonderful.
September 16, 2020
The story of the Catskills hotel Grossinger’s ala Dirty Dancing was a very interesting picture of a resort peculiar to a specific bygone time and place. I enjoyed that part of the book very much. The author portrayed herself as being somewhat of a poor relation in the family and at the same time gives the Impression of being rather full of herself. That part of the book was a bit off putting to me.
February 7, 2020
Wish I could have been old enough to experience Grossingers!
Totally captivated by this amazing hotel and Tania's experience s growing up there. She expertly delivered me there and I was able to see if through her eyes and feel like I was standing right by her side. Thank you for sharing that part of your life with me. You turned out great!
Totally captivated by this amazing hotel and Tania's experience s growing up there. She expertly delivered me there and I was able to see if through her eyes and feel like I was standing right by her side. Thank you for sharing that part of your life with me. You turned out great!
September 8, 2020
The Good ol’ Days
Having spent so many hours in hotel settings during my seventy year business career I enjoyed watch the hotel management and staff grow image and adjust to operational changes
The author brought back similar changes.the book was a fun read also having been there done that!
Having spent so many hours in hotel settings during my seventy year business career I enjoyed watch the hotel management and staff grow image and adjust to operational changes
The author brought back similar changes.the book was a fun read also having been there done that!
September 8, 2020
Reasonably entertaining
This memoir was fun, especially if you watched Season Two of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” But a series of memories of pranks the author and other resort kids played is something to endure more than to enjoy.
The writing, reflection and pacing are excellent, and the author’s return to the resort is satisfying.
This memoir was fun, especially if you watched Season Two of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” But a series of memories of pranks the author and other resort kids played is something to endure more than to enjoy.
The writing, reflection and pacing are excellent, and the author’s return to the resort is satisfying.
October 12, 2020
Something to learn
Of course, having been around in the 50s I’d heard of Grossingers but never really knew what it was. I now know it was a fabulous experience for so many. The author, Tania is surely someone is like to meet. Read it all in one sitting!
Of course, having been around in the 50s I’d heard of Grossingers but never really knew what it was. I now know it was a fabulous experience for so many. The author, Tania is surely someone is like to meet. Read it all in one sitting!
October 16, 2020
Interesting if you can remember Grossingers from the 50s. The chapters about her childhood are more interesting than after she went to college, Essentially at times it degenerates into a list of famous people she met but the descriptions of life of the staff at the resort are enlightening.
November 4, 2020
Fascinating
It was delightful to hear about so many famous people that she got to know. Athletes, movie stars, singers ,comedians, etc. The list goes on and on, however it is understandable that it was a lonely life in spite of all the glamour.
It was delightful to hear about so many famous people that she got to know. Athletes, movie stars, singers ,comedians, etc. The list goes on and on, however it is understandable that it was a lonely life in spite of all the glamour.
November 14, 2020
Wonderful Book
Quite a page turner. Very interesting reading about the author and friends growing up living in a hotel. I found it interesting as well the author missed the hotel after getting her degree and moving on. What a Life this lady lived. Loved the book!
Quite a page turner. Very interesting reading about the author and friends growing up living in a hotel. I found it interesting as well the author missed the hotel after getting her degree and moving on. What a Life this lady lived. Loved the book!
January 18, 2018
A great picture of an almost-forgotten era. A real life "Dirty Dancing" story.
November 26, 2018
Really enjoyed this book about growing up in one the borscht belt's finest hotels.
May 11, 2019
It was a very nostalgic read
Growing up in the 50's and 60's, this was a fun journey to the days of fancy dining and the comedians she mentioned.
Growing up in the 50's and 60's, this was a fun journey to the days of fancy dining and the comedians she mentioned.
July 20, 2019
Well written
Entertaining, easy read. Recalls a style of life that was iconic but does not exist any more. Will bring back memories for anyone familiar with the place and time.
Entertaining, easy read. Recalls a style of life that was iconic but does not exist any more. Will bring back memories for anyone familiar with the place and time.
Read
September 2, 2019This was a really fun, fast and interesting late summer read. I loved it!
September 10, 2020
Great Insight
Great exposure to the running of this part of the Catskills that my parents generation loved so much. A time that has passed!!
Great exposure to the running of this part of the Catskills that my parents generation loved so much. A time that has passed!!
September 29, 2020
Interesting read
Growing up during a golden time for a specific industry. I was able to see her stories. Ah, the names! Well written.
Growing up during a golden time for a specific industry. I was able to see her stories. Ah, the names! Well written.
June 27, 2024
Maybe if Mickey Mouse kept kosher....
Before there was Disneyland, Six Flags, or Sea World, there was the Borscht Belt. The last decades of the 1800's saw a huge wave of Jewish immigrants from northern and eastern Europe, fleeing brutal persecution and seeking wider opportunities for their children. Many crowded into tenement slums in NYC.
Missing their rural communities in Europe, those who could took short vacations at Jewish-owned farms in the Catskill Mountains. Eventually, those farms morphed into hotels and vacation camps, then into sophisticated resorts. The most successful of all was Grossingers, headed up by strong-willed Jeanne Grossinger and her husband Harry. He was the quiet, shy inside man, while she was the out-going, irrepressible face of the resort, more comfortable with wealthy, famous people than with her own family.
Tania was a Grossinger by birth, but only a poor relation. Her father was a Chicago businessman who died young. Her mother was a beautiful Austrian who spoke multiple languages. Left as a single parent, she moved to Los Angeles, where she became a successful designer of elegant hats. She and her daughter had a lovely apartment and Tania attended an expensive boarding school. So why did they leave to work for demanding, petty Jeanne Grossinger?
That question is never answered satisfactorily. Karla Grossinger claimed she made the move for the sake of her daughter. That they faced prejudice as Jews in L.A. That rationed food was scarce and Tania sometimes went hungry at school. Certainly the food at Grossingers (all strictly Kosher) was ample and excellent. Tania WAS surrounded by relatives, although she wasn't treated as an equal in any way.
The big winner was Jeanne Grossinger, who kept her position as Queen of the Borscht Belt while benefitting from Karla Grossinger's charm and hard work. It cost her little to feed them and provide them with a small, poorly furnished room and Karla's salary was never more than a pittance.
Grossinger's was a huge business, with thirty-five buildings on site, acres of woods and lakes, pools, horse-trails, canoes, tennis courts, ski runs, opulent restaurants, and theaters which showcased big name talent. Surprisingly, the individual rooms were small and spartan. Jeanne Grossinger didn't want "guests" relaxing in their rooms. She wanted them out using the recreational facilities, eating in the restaurants, and attending the shows.
I was unaware that singer Eddie Fisher was a creation of Grossingers and that his first marriage (to actress Debbie Reynolds) took place there. Fisher's popularity never recovered after he left Reynolds and two children to marry Elizabeth Taylor, but to Tania HE was the good guy and Debbie Reynolds was the demanding witch. An interesting viewpoint.
Her childhood at Grossingers wasn't a particularly happy one. She was very much the poor relation and made to feel it. Her mother worked long hours and had no time for her. Their living conditions were uncomfortable. On a positive note, she had an insider's view of what it takes to run a major resort, fending off the competition, while watching the profit margin. She rubbed elbows with famous and obscure entertainers, which was an education in itself.
Both she and her mother eventually left Grossingers and made successful lives for themselves elsewhere. So was Karla wrong to give in to Jeanne Grossinger's hard sell and move her daughter to the Catskills? I think she was, but she may have truly believed that she was making the sacrifice for her daughter's happiness and well-being. And Jeanne Grossinger was a bulldozer who almost always got what she wanted.
The Borscht Belt peaked in the 1940's and 50's, but slowly declined. In a few decades, even Grossingers was closed and demolished. Cheap air travel made it possible for Americans to travel further for vacations. Jews were no longer banned from other resorts. And with fewer Jews observing Jewish dietary laws, it was no longer necessary to seek out resorts that featured Kosher food.
I became aware of the "Yiddish Alps" when I read playwright Moss Hart's autobiography "Act One." It's a great book and I can recommend it. He worked for years as the entertainment director for various Catskills resorts, starting at the bottom and working his way up to the big ones while he wrote plays and tried to get them produced on Broadway.
Like Tania Grossinger, he recognized the intelligence and hard work that enabled some resort owners to achieve great success. Like her, he also acknowledged their pettiness, giant egos, and brutal disregard for their employees. It's a look at a world that seems strange and unappealing to me, but obviously filled a need at the time. Older readers and fans of old movies and TV shows will enjoy the stories about old-time celebrities. It's a good story and she tells it well.
Before there was Disneyland, Six Flags, or Sea World, there was the Borscht Belt. The last decades of the 1800's saw a huge wave of Jewish immigrants from northern and eastern Europe, fleeing brutal persecution and seeking wider opportunities for their children. Many crowded into tenement slums in NYC.
Missing their rural communities in Europe, those who could took short vacations at Jewish-owned farms in the Catskill Mountains. Eventually, those farms morphed into hotels and vacation camps, then into sophisticated resorts. The most successful of all was Grossingers, headed up by strong-willed Jeanne Grossinger and her husband Harry. He was the quiet, shy inside man, while she was the out-going, irrepressible face of the resort, more comfortable with wealthy, famous people than with her own family.
Tania was a Grossinger by birth, but only a poor relation. Her father was a Chicago businessman who died young. Her mother was a beautiful Austrian who spoke multiple languages. Left as a single parent, she moved to Los Angeles, where she became a successful designer of elegant hats. She and her daughter had a lovely apartment and Tania attended an expensive boarding school. So why did they leave to work for demanding, petty Jeanne Grossinger?
That question is never answered satisfactorily. Karla Grossinger claimed she made the move for the sake of her daughter. That they faced prejudice as Jews in L.A. That rationed food was scarce and Tania sometimes went hungry at school. Certainly the food at Grossingers (all strictly Kosher) was ample and excellent. Tania WAS surrounded by relatives, although she wasn't treated as an equal in any way.
The big winner was Jeanne Grossinger, who kept her position as Queen of the Borscht Belt while benefitting from Karla Grossinger's charm and hard work. It cost her little to feed them and provide them with a small, poorly furnished room and Karla's salary was never more than a pittance.
Grossinger's was a huge business, with thirty-five buildings on site, acres of woods and lakes, pools, horse-trails, canoes, tennis courts, ski runs, opulent restaurants, and theaters which showcased big name talent. Surprisingly, the individual rooms were small and spartan. Jeanne Grossinger didn't want "guests" relaxing in their rooms. She wanted them out using the recreational facilities, eating in the restaurants, and attending the shows.
I was unaware that singer Eddie Fisher was a creation of Grossingers and that his first marriage (to actress Debbie Reynolds) took place there. Fisher's popularity never recovered after he left Reynolds and two children to marry Elizabeth Taylor, but to Tania HE was the good guy and Debbie Reynolds was the demanding witch. An interesting viewpoint.
Her childhood at Grossingers wasn't a particularly happy one. She was very much the poor relation and made to feel it. Her mother worked long hours and had no time for her. Their living conditions were uncomfortable. On a positive note, she had an insider's view of what it takes to run a major resort, fending off the competition, while watching the profit margin. She rubbed elbows with famous and obscure entertainers, which was an education in itself.
Both she and her mother eventually left Grossingers and made successful lives for themselves elsewhere. So was Karla wrong to give in to Jeanne Grossinger's hard sell and move her daughter to the Catskills? I think she was, but she may have truly believed that she was making the sacrifice for her daughter's happiness and well-being. And Jeanne Grossinger was a bulldozer who almost always got what she wanted.
The Borscht Belt peaked in the 1940's and 50's, but slowly declined. In a few decades, even Grossingers was closed and demolished. Cheap air travel made it possible for Americans to travel further for vacations. Jews were no longer banned from other resorts. And with fewer Jews observing Jewish dietary laws, it was no longer necessary to seek out resorts that featured Kosher food.
I became aware of the "Yiddish Alps" when I read playwright Moss Hart's autobiography "Act One." It's a great book and I can recommend it. He worked for years as the entertainment director for various Catskills resorts, starting at the bottom and working his way up to the big ones while he wrote plays and tried to get them produced on Broadway.
Like Tania Grossinger, he recognized the intelligence and hard work that enabled some resort owners to achieve great success. Like her, he also acknowledged their pettiness, giant egos, and brutal disregard for their employees. It's a look at a world that seems strange and unappealing to me, but obviously filled a need at the time. Older readers and fans of old movies and TV shows will enjoy the stories about old-time celebrities. It's a good story and she tells it well.
April 14, 2021
A fascinating story of a retreat in the Catskills, open, exclusively for Jewish families and celebrities . This is a side of American Jewish life I had never known of but was grateful to read that the people could go for a relaxing time within an extensive Jewish community and enjoy their favorite kosher foods in safe circumstances. Grossingers began its existence by the early 1900's, and on into the mid-20th century and beyond. Certainly some refugees from Hitler's Germany would have been a part of the Grossinger's experience as many of them made their fortunes in the US and could avail themselves of a life of luxury that would hardly have existed for them in such a country as Germany was at the time. A rapid and fun read.
March 21, 2022
I devoured this book in a matter of hours, finding it utterly fascinating, charming, and engaging. I knew of these “Borscht Belt” resorts and was drawn to reading Tania’s story of having grown up in one ... and it did not disappoint! I giggled at the childhood antics, felt for her having little meaningful contact with her mother, marveled at all the celebrity encounters, delighted in all the fun she had, and commiserated with how challenging much of her young life was as an outsider in certain circles.
All in all, I loved this book! If you’re intrigued by what life was like growing up in a famous Jewish resort in the Catskills—and how it affected the author beyond its walls—I highly recommend Growing Up at Grossinger’s!
All in all, I loved this book! If you’re intrigued by what life was like growing up in a famous Jewish resort in the Catskills—and how it affected the author beyond its walls—I highly recommend Growing Up at Grossinger’s!
June 21, 2023
This struck me as a little bit of "older lady reminiscing," but it was still fun.
Grossinger's was the inspiration behind the movie "Dirty Dancing," and it was interesting to read about the Borscht Belt and how much of an influence Grossinger's and other resorts in the Catskills had on families and entertainment. It was surprisingly liberal for the times, with everyone trying to hook up.
Sadly, Grossinger's closed in the late '80s and the photos of the abandoned hotel are painful to see. Even more sadly, most of the buildings were demolished in 2018 and the last remaining building burned in a fire in 2022. Nothing is left of the place that was THE destination in upstate New York.
I find it fun to imagine what it was like in its heyday.
Grossinger's was the inspiration behind the movie "Dirty Dancing," and it was interesting to read about the Borscht Belt and how much of an influence Grossinger's and other resorts in the Catskills had on families and entertainment. It was surprisingly liberal for the times, with everyone trying to hook up.
Sadly, Grossinger's closed in the late '80s and the photos of the abandoned hotel are painful to see. Even more sadly, most of the buildings were demolished in 2018 and the last remaining building burned in a fire in 2022. Nothing is left of the place that was THE destination in upstate New York.
I find it fun to imagine what it was like in its heyday.
January 2, 2023
Grossinger’s
I was interested in this book because my Irish Catholic mother was raised in a New York tenement with mostly Jewish families. Her best friend was Jewish and she had picked up Yiddish along the way. Also because my parents were big fans of the variety shows of the 50s and 60s and many of the acts got their starts in Grossinger’s and resorts like it. This memoir was easy to read and relate to. It’s written with feeling that is imparted to the reader and it draws you along through Tania Grossinger’s life in a hotel, which was very different from Eloise’s experience at The Plaza.
I was interested in this book because my Irish Catholic mother was raised in a New York tenement with mostly Jewish families. Her best friend was Jewish and she had picked up Yiddish along the way. Also because my parents were big fans of the variety shows of the 50s and 60s and many of the acts got their starts in Grossinger’s and resorts like it. This memoir was easy to read and relate to. It’s written with feeling that is imparted to the reader and it draws you along through Tania Grossinger’s life in a hotel, which was very different from Eloise’s experience at The Plaza.
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