Jewish Film Series: The Catskills (2024)

Directed by Lex Gillespie, documentary, 86 min., NR

With a trove of archival footage and cast of characters endowed with the gift of gab, The Catskills journeys into the storied mountain getaway north of New York City. The Catskills served as a refuge for Jewish immigrants fleeing poverty as well as a lavish playground for affluent Jewish families. As bungalow colony proprietors, guests, waiters, comedians, hoteliers, and beauticians share colorful tales of Catskill farms, boarding houses, and luxury resorts, they paint a picture of vibrant American Jewish life and culture in the 20th century.

Please stay after the screening for a talk back with The Catskills director, Lex Gillespie.

Photo: Courtesy of Lex Gillespie