There is so much more to the New York mountain range than its Borscht Belt reputation suggests. America’s literature, school of art, and hospitality industry were all first founded there—long before the Catskills became known as the quintessential playground for upwardly mobile Jews. In fact, until the early 20th century, much of the region maintained a strict “No Jews” policy, a situation that changed practically overnight. How did that happen? And, once it did, who were the larger-than-life characters—most of them women—who molded the Catskills into a world-class cultural and socio-economic force? (And what gangsters hid out up there?) What was the appeal of the place? What defined “Catskills humor”—and why did it wield such a persuasive influence on show business? What brought about the end of the Golden Era? And what is taking place up in the mountains today?

As described by The Wall Street Journal, Stephen M. Silverman “is a veteran journalist and historian of popular culture [who] writes with verve and mischief.” His 13 books include vibrant histories of the Catskill Mountains and amusement parks, as well as the internationally acclaimed biographies of legendary film directors David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia) and Stanley Donen (Singin’ in the Rain). Silverman was the founding editor of People Magazine’s website; taught for nine years at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York City; has written for Vogue, Esquire, Smithsonian, Harper’s Bazaar, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The Times of London, and has appeared on The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Entertainment Tonight, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, and FOX Business. His first job, when he was an undergraduate at UC Irvine, was selling ice cream in Disneyland.

There is no fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes. This event is held virtually on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. For more information, contact Program Director Ilene Tatro at itatro@cbisd.org.

CSP Partners: Beth Israel (San Diego, CA), Congregation Beth Shalom (Seattle, WA), Congregation B’nai Tzedek (Fountain Valley, CA), Congregation B’nai Israel (Tustin, CA), Jewish Collaborative of Orange County, CA, Temple Bat Yahm (Newport Beach, CA), Temple Beth El of South Orange County (Aliso Viejo, CA), Temple Beth Emet (Anaheim, CA), Temple Beth Ohr (La Mirada, CA), Temple Beth Tikvah (Fullerton, CA), Temple Beth Shalom (Needham, MA), Temple Beth Sholom (Santa Ana, CA), Temple Emanuel (Newton, MA), Town & Village Synagogue (NYC, NY), University Synagogue (Irvine, CA), Valley Beth Shalom (Encino, CA) & Walnut Street Synagogue (Chelsea, MA)