Jewish families have long enjoyed the Catskills, an area of upstate New York known for its natural beauty and abundance of recreational opportunities. The Catskills offer all sorts of activities to keep a family busy, from hiking, biking, and fishing to skiing and sightseeing. This Jewish Vacation Guide to the Catskill Mountains will provide families with tips on where to go, what to do, and how to get there.
Regarding Jewish travel, the Catskill Mountains have a rich history. In the early to mid-20th century, the mountains were a hub of Jewish resorts. The need for such retreats was real: millions of Ku Klux Klan members in the United States and widespread antisemitism. As a result, a Jewish vacation guide was created to catalog these safe places and inspired a later Green Book for Black travelers. In this video, Celeste Headlee interviews Eddy Portnoy of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research about the history of these guides and their impact on Jewish travel.
Chasidim
If you’re looking for a Jewish vacation combining music, dancing, and history, Chasidim maybe your group. This mystical community’s distinctive style is visually and musically arresting, and you’ll enjoy experiencing their unique lifestyle and traditions. The Hasidic people are also known for their fascinating tales, which provide memorable doorways to their worldview and religious beliefs. These stories have been handed down from generation to generation, and non-Hasidic writers have popularized them throughout history.
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday that lasts a week, depending on where you live. The holiday celebrates God’s intervention in history and his role as a great liberator of humanity. It also sets the stage for other Jewish holidays.
Holidays
Initially published in 1916, the Jewish Vacation Guide compiled a list of places welcoming Jews. This guide was a vital tool in the early days of American Jewish travel. In addition to highlighting places that were kosher, it listed affordable hotels and restaurants. The guide was so popular that it created a similar “Green Book” for African-American travelers.
Antisemitism
In 1917, a Jewish travel guide was published. It was sponsored by the Jewish Farmers of America, which condemned the actions of a group of Baltimore Jews. The book claims that “Jews are committing genocide and committing crimes.” The publication was later discredited.
Things to know:
- The Catskill Mountains are a popular destination for Jewish families during the summer months.
- The mountains offer great hiking and biking trails, as well as plenty of opportunities to explore natural attractions like waterfalls and lakes.
- There are also plenty of restaurants, hotels, and other services available to accommodate vacationers of all faiths.