COMEDY SHOW

Sunday, July 26
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Shadowland Studio | 14 Market Street

Born in Brooklyn and raised in an orthodox Jewish home, Olga was married by 17 and divorced by 20 (it’s a long story - come see my set!). Inspired by Sarah Silverman and Larry David, Olga brings her unique point of view of life to her comedy that has been described as “funny, honest, authentic, and sarcastic.”

COMEDY SHOW

Sunday, July 26
7:00pm - 8:15pm
Shadowland Studio | 14 Market Street
Harrison Greenbaum is one of the most in-demand comedic performers in the world, described as "the hardest-working man in comedy" by both Time Out New York and the NY Daily News.

On television, Harrison has been seen by millions on shows such as America's Got Talent, Last Comic Standing, Conan, Sherri, Comedy Central's This Week at the Comedy Cellar, National Geographic Channel's Brain Games, and more.  He's also been a regular guest co-host on StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, as well as the warm-up comic for The Daily Show on Comedy Central.

BORSCHT BELT TALK

Sunday, July 26
11:30am -12:30pm
Hunt Memorial Building | 2 Liberty Street

The casino at Grossinger’s. The legendary nightclub at the Concord. The makeshift stage tucked behind a boathouse. In the Catskills, place mattered.

The physical architecture of the mountains did more than just house an audience; it shaped the very soul of American comedy. From the timing of a punchline to the intimate, high-stakes energy of a crowded room, the "spatial genius" of the resort era was a critical ingredient in the Borscht Belt experience.

BORSCHT BELT TALK & TRIBUTE

Sunday, July 26
12:00pm - 1:00pm
The Common Good | 119 Canal St

Explore how ventriloquism shaped the voice and the wit of a nation with Al Getler, a seasoned ventriloquist who runs the Vent Haven International Ventriloquist Convention, and Kelly Benning, the daughter of comedic genius Rickie Layne, whose Yiddish-inflected Velvel, appeared dozens of times on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Velvel, recently restored, will come out of retirementment on the West Coast to join the event!

Moderated by pop culture historian Ron MacCloskey.

LIVE PODCAST TAPING

Sunday, July 26
1:00pm - 2:15pm
Hunt Memorial Building | 2 Liberty Street

New York City didn’t just adopt Jewish food — it was transformed by it. From the pushcarts of Orchard Street to the overstuffed booths of the Stage Deli and the legendary dining rooms of the Catskills, the story of the "Golden Medina" (the Golden Land) is written in schmaltz and brine.

Join us for a high-energy panel featuring chefs, scholars, and "appetizing" icons as we trace the journey of Jewish cuisine from a survival tactic on the Lower East Side to the very DNA of New York’s global food identity.

Featuring:
Join hosts Liz Apern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz for a live podcast taping featuring special guest Prof. Rocco Marinaccio and comedy guest Dan Vetrano!

WORKSHOP

Sunday, July 26
1:00pm- 2:15pm

Livingston Building

Looking for the ultimate family activity at Borscht Belt Fest? One ticket gets you into the ultimate comedy experience with two incredible options!

Option one: An Interactive Improv Experience for the Whole Family. The greatest comedians didn't begin with punchlines—they began by playing. Step into an hour of imagination and spontaneous fun with Molly Livingstone. Whether you're eight or eighty, shy or outgoing, come ready to laugh and leave ready for life.

Option two: The Comedy Lab! A Borscht Belt Crash Course in Joke Writing for ages 10 to 100. Step into a fast-paced, one-hour writers' room with Molly Livingstone and Joey Novick. Go behind the scenes to learn the secret mechanics of the perfect joke, using the exact tools that legendary Catskills comedians mastered to make people laugh until their sides ached.

One ticket, two ways to unleash your inner comedian. Grab yours at the link in the bio and we'll see you there!Hosted By:
Molly Livingstone and Joey Novick

Join museum board member Elliott Auerbach for an intimate tour of our museum, including our new exhibition, Catskills Romance: Love and Desire in the Borscht Belt, exploring the relationships and courtships that blossomed desire in the grand hotels and bungalow colonies of the Borscht Belt. From poolside flirtations and Mambo nights to Champagne Hour competitions and world-class entertainment, discover the rituals — and hidden complexities — that made a Catskills summer unforgettable, drawn from rare artifacts, vintage photography, and oral histories.

Elliott, a four-time mayor of Ellenville and former New York State Deputy Comptroller,  began his Borscht Belt career mucking stalls at the Nevele Stables, which he claims prepared him for a career in politics!

BORSCHT BELT TALK

Sunday, July 26
10:00am - 11:15am

Hunt Memorial Building | 2 Liberty Street

Join us for a panel discussion featuring the legendary owners and keepers of the Borscht Belt’s bungalow legacy. We’ll dive into the daily grit and summer glamour of running these colonies, from the "macho" weekend arrivals to the mid-week tranquility of the "colony" lifestyle.

Featuring:
Phylis Kaufman (Kaufman’s Bungalow Colony, Monticello), Sheldon Dishner (Dishner’s, South Fallsburg), Alan Friedberg (Nob Hill, Kiamesha Lake, NY) and Scott Rosmarin 3rd generation owner of Rosmarins Cottages (Monroe, NY), which is celebrating its 85th season.

Moderated by Allen Frishman, Author & Borscht Belt Museum Archivist.

COMEDY SHOW

Sunday, July 26
1:00pm - 2:15pm
Shadowland Studio | 14 Market Street

Another generous helping of the old-school comedy you know and love. Sunday’s Borscht Belt Classic features a chuckle-worthy mix of the past and the present of standup comedy. 

Featuring:
Bob Greenberg and Linda Belt, joined by Canada’s Benji Rothman.

Hosted by Alex Grubard.

COMEDY SHOW

Sunday, July 26
3:00pm - 4:15pm
Shadowland Studio | 14 Market Street

Inspired by the classic improv form, The Living Room, The Schmooze brings folks together for an afternoon of unfiltered kibitzing, kvetching, and improv comedy. With a charismatic cast of experienced comedians, ages 70+ ~ you'll be hooked by their chutzpah.

Featuring:
Lily Friedman, Richard Gould, Janet Klein, Barbara Newman, Merle Rubine, and Robert Wolfson

Directed by Elana Fishbein

FREE
Sunday, July 26

Submissions Drop off 11 AM - 1 PM
The Hunt Memorial | 2 Liberty Street

Is your noodle kugel the best in the Catskills? Whether your secret is a perfectly crushed cornflake crust, a heavy hand with the cinnamon, or a strict "no raisins" policy, it’s time to put your recipe to the test! Submit your home-baked noodle kugel to our discerning panel of judges, who will anoint the top three winners before a live audience. Bragging rights, glory, and the coveted title of Kugel Champion are all on the line. 

Your judges: Jewish food podcast "Meet Me at the Deli" hosts Liz Aperin and Jeffrey Yoskowitz, and "Debbie Does Dining" food columnist Debbie Bigelisen.

Slots are limited, so don't wait for the oven to cool! To enter, email us at: kugel@borschtbeltmuseum.org

Please include your name, contact info, and a brief description of your dish.

BE PART OF THE SHOW

Sunday, July 26
10:00am - 11:30am

Aroma Thyme | 165 Canal Street

Come share your favorite Catskill memories at a Borscht Belt-themed "Story Slam." & a delicious brunch.

Sign up for a chance to tell a true, personal 5-minute story about your time in the Catskills. Inspired by The Moth Story Hour, story-teller names will be drawn at random for a chance to pay tribute to those wonderful bygone days and nights. Whether your story is funny, poignant, or wistful, we're sure the audience will love our story-slam trip through time as they vote for the best story. The winning storyteller receives a prize.

SHOW & TELL + BRUNCH

Sunday, July 26
11:30am - 1:00pm
Aroma Thyme | 165 Canal Street

You’re invited to join the Borscht Belt Museum’s Archival Officer, Allen Frishman, for an afternoon of stories, memories, and unexpected treasures as we explore the objects that shaped our personal histories.

SELECT 11:30AM SEATING

Please bring one cherished Borscht Belt item — sentimental, quirky, historic, or surprising — that tells a story. It might be a photograph, a recipe card, a letter, a souvenir, a piece of clothing, or a tiny treasure tucked away for years. Don’t have an object? Everyone has a story! Let's share them. Hey, you might get into Allen’s next book, you never know! Together, we’ll share memories, laughter, and a little Catskills magic.