Borscht Belt Fest

JOIN US ON SATURDAY, JULY 26 & SUNDAY, JULY 27 

From sharp stand-up to unexpected stories, Borscht Belt Fest delivers a powerhouse weekend of big laughs and thought-provoking conversations. The lineup features comics Josh Gondelman, Elon Gold, and Sarge, a night honoring legendary comedian Robert Klein, acclaimed author Gary Shteyngart, writers from SNL and The Tonight Show, and New Yorker cartoonists Asher Perlman, David Ostow, Liana Finck, and Avi Steinberg. And much more!

ON SUNDAY, JULY 27 ONLY The streets of Ellenville will come alive with Jewish food vendors, klezmer music, comedy shows, engaging panels, and more. Celebrate the legacy of Catskills comedy, discover the region’s rich cultural history, and hear from the voices shaping its future, one punchline, or panel, at a time. Whether you're here for the shtick or the substance, there's plenty to explore.

More exciting announcements are just around the corner so stay tuned! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on new programs and events happening that weekend.
Upcoming Events
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Meet the Archivist Field Trip: Brunch & Private Home Tour
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  • Saturday July 26th 10:30AM - TBD
  • Meet the Archivist Field Trip: Brunch & Private Home Tour
  • Join Borscht Belt Museum archivist Allen Frishman for a classic bagels-and-lox breakfast and private tour of his home, a veritable museum chockablock with ephemera saved from oblivion. An author, preservationist and former building inspector for the town of Fallsburg, Frishman rescued countless objects -- telephone switchboards, bungalow kitchens, swizzle sticks and hotel signs -- before the bulldozers arrived. Many of them make up the Borscht Belt Museum's core collection.Location to be provided after purchase
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Blue Comedy: When Comics Crossed the Line
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  • Saturday July 26th 11:00AM - TBD
  • Blue Comedy: When Comics Crossed the Line
  • What made 1950s audiences gasp then roar? Comics brave enough to shatter society’s rules about stage speech.The Borscht Belt bred revolution. Sharp audiences craved raw rebellion from fearless performers—Sahl, Bruce, Hackett, Rivers—who turned comedy into defiance.These weren’t jokes but cultural grenades thrown at polite society. The Belt launched this dangerous breed into America’s spotlight, forever changing what we laugh at.With Lenny Dave, Comedy Historian celebrating funny generations. Ellenville - Location to be announced shortly
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Private Tour with Curator Debra Schmidt Bach, Ph.D.
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Borscht Belt Classic
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  • Saturday July 26th 12:00PM - Shadowland Stages
  • Borscht Belt Classic
  • The latest and greatest in the grand tradition of standup comedy returns! We’re kicking off the festival with an audience favorite, The Borscht Belt Classic. This show delivers the unmistakable flavor of Catskills comedy, performed by comedians of all generations. Hosted by Bob Greenbergfeaturing: Beth FarberWillie ZabarRobin Fox Bob Greenberg performs comedy regularly at the Friars Club, the Metropolitan Room and Gotham Comedy Club. He has been featured on SNL, Letterman, Conan, The Next Best Thing and Primetime Live. As an actor, Bob has had roles on Vynil (HBO), The Characters (Netflix) and Law & Order.He starred as "Morty" in The National Tour of Old Jews Telling Jokes. Willie Zabar is a standup and character comedian from New York City as seen on Hulu and Time Out New York. He has performed at the International Human Rights Art Festival, SOLOCOM, and Showcation. He is also co-founder of Practically Safe Media, an animation studio specializing in hand-drawn shorts and fire safety PSAs.Beth Farber is a stand-up comedian who has performed at comedy clubs, charity events and private parties all over New York City. She grew up in Brooklyn before “Made in Brooklyn” added value to merchandise and spent her professional career representing indigent criminals in Baltimore and New York City. These experiences, as well as being the mother of three adult children and now a bone fide Borscht Belt bubbie, are the source for her sometimes dark and always very funny comedy.New Jersey’s Robin Fox Spent 17 years as a full-time mom on a diet. Then one day, Robin gave up dieting and decided to make her dream of being a comedian a reality. Today she is happier than she can ever remember and will never look back! Original and funny, she speaks from the heart about the frustrations of suburban living, marriage, and being an empty nester. No longer willing to just be the funniest mom on the cul-de-sac, this New Jersey mom is now a regular on the comedy scene playing at the top clubs in NYC and performing nationally.
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Punchlines with Chutzpah: Jewish Women Comics SMASHING Barriers
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  • Saturday July 26th 12:30PM - TBD
  • Punchlines with Chutzpah: Jewish Women Comics SMASHING Barriers
  • Join us for You Can’t Teach a Fish to Whistle, a knockout short play by Joey Novick starring four fierce women serving up sharp wit, heart, and hilarity at their weekly mahjong game. Nominated for Best Short Play at both the One Act/Act One Theatre Festival and NY Theatre Festival Winterfest.Then, stay for a comedy panel featuring Carole Montgomery, - Creator of Funny Women of a Certain Age, Ellen Karis, Nancy Redman, Marla Schultz, and Jason Pollock*, sharing stories and insights from decades of breaking barriers in the comedy world.Ellenville - Location to be announced shortlyFeaturing: Carole Montgomery Ellen Karis Nancy RedmanMarla Schultz Jason Pollock*
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Private Tour with Curator Debra Schmidt Bach, Ph.D.
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Immigrant Jam
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  • Saturday July 26th 03:00PM - Shadowland Stages
  • Immigrant Jam
  • Lucie Pohl’s Immigrant Jam Comedy is New York's longest running immigrant comedy show, a NY Times Critics Pick, Time Out NY Critic's Pick, seen at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the New York Comedy Festival and more. Immigrant Jam features NYC’s funniest immigrant and 1st gen comics, who will make you laugh so hard you’ll wish you were born somewhere else. Guaranteed not to have stolen any of your jobs, Immigrant Jam celebrates the beauty of everything cross cultural, deliciously different and not from here. The latest and greatest in the grand tradition of standup comedy returns! We’re kicking off the festival with an audience favorite, The Borscht Belt Classic. This show delivers the unmistakable flavor of Catskills comedy, performed by comedians of all generations. Hosted by Lucie Pohl Featuring: Marcela OnyandoSalma HindyCansu KarabiyikNatan BadalovLucie Pohl is a Jewish-German-born-NYC-raised comedian, actor, voice actor and writer. She is the voice of Mercy on Blizzard's Overwatch/2, Rixxa Fluxflame in World of Warcraft, as well as voicing characters on Red Dead Redemption 2, Hearthstone and more. On screen she has appeared in Todd Field's TAR, Hulu's Welcome to Chippendales, Showtime's Homeland, BBC's Red Dwarf XI and Warner Bros.' Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Lucie has created 4 critically acclaimed solo comedies that have toured internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, London's West End, Germany, Romania, as well as across the US and OFF Broadway in NYC. Her solo comedy Hi, Hitler was nominated for a NY Innovative Theater Award. Her monthly show Immigrant Jam is NYC's longest running immigrant comedy show, has been a critic's pick in the NY Times, Time Out NYC, was given 4 stars by The Scotsman and gave birth to a podcast by the same name. Marcela Onyango is a Luo stand-up comedian and writer based in Brooklyn. She was born in Kenya and raised in Texas. She currently hosts Feel the News, a short humorous news show on TikTok. She’s been featured in the Black Women in Comedy Festival and The Laughing Devil Cup Festival. Her humor writing has been published on Slackjaw.Salma Hindy is a first-generation Egyptian-Canadian Stand-Up Comedian based in Los Angeles (previously New York by way of Toronto). She has opened for Ken Jeong, Ramy Youssef, Beth Stelling, and was a regular opener for Chelsea Handler (on her Vaccinated & Horny and Little Big Bitch Tour). She voices the character of Ramy Youssef's mother on the brand new Amazon Prime show Number 1 Happy Family USA. Cansu Karabiyik is a Kurdish comic who grew up in Denmark and lived in the UK, recently making the move to NYC. She was a regular on the London circuit and performed in more than 15 cities across the UK. She is the founder of the non-profit Laugh 4 Change, an organization that produced more than 50 shows in 10 different cities across the UK to raise relief aid for refugees in Greece. Laugh 4 Change hosted by Cansu played the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019. Cansu was the producer of the highly acclaimed comedy trio show FootDarks at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2019) that was featured in The Guardian. Natan Badalov emigrated from Uzbekistan to the United States in the early 90s. Since then, he has been featured on Adult Swim, New York Comedy Festival, Y'all Comedy Festival, Chosen Comedy Festival, Funnymmigrants Comedy Festival, and The Laughing Devil Comedy Festival. Natan created and wrote Park West, an animated web series about his time in yeshiva. His work has been featured on Channel 101 NY, American Jewish Film Festival, Alternative Film Festival, Flickfair Film Festival, Polish International Film Festival, Animator – a Polish Animated Film Competition, Smiles Film Festival, and Animae Digital Film Festival.Natan has opened for Nimesh Patel and Punkie Johnson. His first solo show, Connect The Dots, was part of the New York Comedy Festival, Rochester Fringe Festival, and was a Y'all Laughter Lab Finalist. For more, you can follow him on socials @natanbadalov.
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BORSCHT BELT STORY HOUR- Kvelling & Kvetching: Jewish Story Slam - from Summer Camp to the Catskills
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From Shtetl to Stage: Yiddish Music of the Catskills
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  • Saturday July 26th 03:30PM - TBD
  • From Shtetl to Stage: Yiddish Music of the Catskills
  • Drummer Eve Sicular explores Borscht Belt music where Yiddish sounds defined summer romance and identity. Catskills resorts blended klezmer with Hollywood glamour, creating unique fusion capturing Jewish-American experience. Sicular, the leader of the band Isle of Klezbos, reveals how music became mountain anthems—tearjerkers and comedy moving audiences. Through clips and demos, discover melodies flowing from theaters to poolsides, exploring composers making Yiddish music integral to Borscht Belt experience.Ellenville - Location to be announced shortly
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Blind Comedy Auction
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  • Saturday July 26th 05:00PM - Shadowland Stages
  • Blind Comedy Auction
  • Join host and Ellenville native David Lonstein for an original show where comedians perform and then auction off mystery memorabilia and artifacts without being able to say exactly what the things are. It’s like charades but with real treasures donated by local business. Featuring standup comedy from:  Igor Martinez, Hannah Lieberman, Jason King, and Matt StorrsFeaturing:Jason KingHannah Lieberman Igor Martinez Matt StorrsDavid Lonstein is a stand-up comedian and writer based in New York City. David is a 5th generation Ellenvillite (Ellenvillian?) who has performed in Montreal, Madison, and other cities that don’t start with an M. David is also the creator and producer of Blind Comedy Auction. A New York-based comic, writer, and content creator, Jason King is an up-and-comer whose style combines insightfulness, absurdity, playful provocation, and vulnerability. His sharply versatile skillset allows him to perform for a wide array of audiences, he’s a regular at Cobbs and the Punchline in San Francisco, and he performs at many clubs in NYC, including The Stand and NY Comedy Club. Jason’s sketch comedy has achieved virality on multiple platforms, and Jason boasts one more major skill outside of standup: he’s been a musician since age 11 and a music producer for 12 years.Hannah Lieberman is a stand-up comedian/all-around goofball based in NYC and the owner of QED Astoria, a performance space in Queens. Follow her at @hannahlcomedyBorn in the mean streets of Venezuela and raised in a swamp in South Florida, Igor Martinez is a stand-up comedian based in New York City. He is a regular at Broadway Comedy Club, Greenwich Village Comedy Club, and New York Comedy Club, and has performed in the 2023 and 2024 New York Comedy Festival. Matt Storrs is a humor person. A storyteller and comedian based out of NYC and originally from Phoenix, AZ, Matt has been featured in Newsweek, on NPR, and on PBS. He is known for sharp stories and his esoteric comedy, and can be found online at @mtstorrs
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Schtick in the Family
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  • Saturday July 26th 05:30PM - TBD
  • Schtick in the Family
  • Sandy Hackett, Guy Richards, and Jeff Capri bring their own stand-up followed by a Q&A panel filled with laughs and backstage stories. Sons of legends Buddy Hackett, Sal Richards, and Dick Capri, they share what it was like growing up with comedy royalty—from dinner table punchlines to Catskills hijinks. Hear how the Borscht Belt shaped their lives and careers in this heartfelt, hilarious tribute to family, legacy, and the golden age of American comedy.Ellenville - Location to be announced shortlyFeaturing: Sandy Hackett, Guy Richards, Jeff Capri
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Alejandro Presents
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  • Saturday July 26th 07:00PM - Shadowland Stages
  • Alejandro Presents
  • Retired Nevele bellhop Alejandro Morales has some very special guests to check in to the festival! Share some laughs with a handful of talented out-of-owners hand-picked by the Borscht Belt Museum’s own comedy curator. Featuring standup comedy from: Rachel Barnes, Emily Epstein, Dorian Vasquez, Matt Hyams, and Alejandro MoralesFeaturing:Emily EpsteinDorian VasquezMatt HyamsAlejandro MoralesRachel BarnesFrom New York to Oakland, comedian and storyteller Emily Epstein has been featured in festivals, appeared on the front page of the Boston Globe, and won the San Francisco MothSlam. She currently runs Case Comedy, a weekly showcase chosen by Philadelphia Magazine as Best of Philly Comedy in 2023. Dorian Vasquez is a Philadelphia-based comedian, writer, and filmmaker renowned for his dark humor and sharp wit. As the founder of Baby Goblin Productions, he has created and directed content such as the horror-thriller "Porch Pirate." His work blends elements of horror and comedy, reflecting his commitment to pushing creative boundaries.Matt Hyams is a Philadelphia-based comedy writer, comedian, and satirical business keynote speaker. He is the creator of ego-baby.com (goop.com meets The Onion) and the podcast The Only Advice You Need, an extension of his satirical keynote character who offers terrible and bizarre leadership advice.Alejandro Morales grew up in Ellenville and has been producing and performing standup and alternative comedy in Philadelphia since 2010. Alejandro is a regular performer at Punch Line Philly and was recently featured in the 2025 West End Comedy Festival. His graduating class of 1999 was supposed to unearth a time capsule from the early 90’s around now but the capsule’s location is currently unknown by EHS officials. Rachel Barnes has honed a comedic style where she pleasantly delivers acerbic wit and scathingly sarcastic jokes. She has performed at the prestigious Philadelphia Punch Line and has produced and performed on shows throughout the tri-state area. Rachel has opened for national headliners like Kate Willet, Caitlyn Peluffo and Chip Chantry.
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Headliner: Josh Gondelman
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  • Saturday July 26th 09:00PM - Shadowland Stages
  • Headliner: Josh Gondelman
  • Josh Gondelman is a writer and comedian who incubated in Boston before moving to New York City, where he currently lives and recently worked as the head writer and an executive producer for Desus & Mero on Showtime. Gondelman also contributed to the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which was a thrill for both him and his parents. Prior to that, he spent five years at Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, first as a web producer and then as a staff writer where he earned four Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and three WGA Awards. His debut standup special People Pleaser (2022) was produced by Comedy Dynamics and is available to stream now.
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Private Tour with Curator Debra Schmidt Bach, Ph.D.
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Soup to Schmaltz: The Delicious Legacy of Borscht Belt Cuisine
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  • Sunday July 27th 11:00AM - TBD
  • Soup to Schmaltz: The Delicious Legacy of Borscht Belt Cuisine
  • Discover the hidden culinary treasures of Upstate New York! Author June Hersh reveals how Jewish kitchens in the Catskills created uniquely American cuisine—from legendary Borscht Belt brisket to iconic bagels. Join serial entrepreneur Mike Dalewitz as he bridges tradition with modern dining through his authentic deli. Together, they’ll share stories, reinvented recipes, and insider knowledge from the rolling hills where food history was made. Ellenville - Location to be announced shortly
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BORSCHT BELT STORY HOUR- Kvelling & Kvetching: Jewish Story Slam - from Summer Camp to the Catskills
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Borscht Belt Classic
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From Borscht Belt to Big Time: Inside Television's Comedy Factory
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  • Sunday July 27th 12:30PM - TBD
  • From Borscht Belt to Big Time: Inside Television's Comedy Factory
  • The Catskills once rang with the crackling energy of Borscht Belt comedy—fast-paced, fearless, and wildly influential. That legacy lives on in the writers’ rooms of television’s most iconic shows, where timing is king and every laugh is earned.Join comedy veterans Eddie Brill (Late Show with David Letterman), JR Havlan (The Daily Show), and Rich Francese (Saturday Night Live) as they take you behind the scenes of TV’s toughest and funniest creative spaces. Hear what it takes to write the jokes that keep America laughing.Ellenville - Location to be announced shortlyFeaturing: EDDIE BRILLJR HAVLANRICH FRANCESE
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Author Gary Shteyngart & Aaron Hicklin in conversation
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  • Sunday July 27th 01:00PM - The Common Good
  • Author Gary Shteyngart & Aaron Hicklin in conversation
  • Join acclaimed author Gary Shteyngart for a lively and thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of writing, Jewish identity, and cultural memory. In a discussion moderated by Aaron Hicklin, director of the Deep Water Literary Festival, Shteyngart will reflect on his literary journey, from his early days in Leningrad to his rise as one of America’s most celebrated novelists, and explore the lasting influence of Jewish heritage and the Catskills on his work. With humor, insight, and sharp wit, this promises to be a highlight of the festival.Featuring: Gary Shteyngart & Aaron Hicklin
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Rabbi Bob Alper
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  • Sunday July 27th 02:00PM - Shadowland Stages
  • Rabbi Bob Alper
  • Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon of intelligent, uplifting, and side-splitting comedy with Bob Alper—a performer unlike any other on the stand-up circuit. With 38 years of experience making people laugh across the globe, Bob has carved out a truly singular space in the comedy world. He’s not just a comedian; he’s also an ordained rabbi with a Doctor of Ministry degree from The Princeton Theological Seminary. This rare combination of spiritual depth and comedic talent has allowed Bob to connect with audiences in a way that’s both hilarious and deeply human.
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Private Tour with Curator Debra Schmidt Bach, Ph.D.
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Drawing Funny: Jewish Humor and the Art of the New Yorker Cartoon
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  • Sunday July 27th 02:30PM - TBD
  • Drawing Funny: Jewish Humor and the Art of the New Yorker Cartoon
  • A dynamic conversation with New Yorker cartoonists Liana Finck, David Ostow, Asher Perlman and Avi Steinberg, exploring the role of Jewish humor, past and present, in shaping American comedy and cartooning. Panelists will share insights into their creative process, from developing ideas and captions to navigating the fine line between clever and confusing.Ellenville - Location to be announced shortlyFeaturing: Liana FinckDavid OstowAsher PerlmanAvi Steinberg
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Sarge the Comedian
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  • Sunday July 27th 04:00PM - Shadowland Stages
  • Sarge the Comedian
  • Meet SARGE: a larger-than-life, biracial Jewish comedian who went from homeless addict to headlining Radio City Music Hall. Born in Miami Beach to a Jewish mother and Black father, adopted and raised on Long Island, he discovered his musical genius at age 6. After a dark spiral into addiction, he got clean in 1990 and never looked back. Now, he’s a rapid-fire comic compared to Don Rickles, a self-taught piano savant, and a motivational speaker bringing “Comedy Therapy” to recovery centers nationwide.Elon Gold is a comedian, actor, and writer whose one-hour Netflix stand-up special Chosen & Taken received acclaim from audiences and peers alike. Known for his sharp wit and spot-on impressions, he has appeared on The Tonight Show and The Late Late Show with James Corden. Gold blends clever observations with hilarious characters, delivering high-energy, smart, and relatable comedy that appeals to a wide range of audiences.
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Elon Gold
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  • Sunday July 27th 06:00PM - Shadowland Stages
  • Elon Gold
  • Elon Gold is a comedian, actor, and writer whose one-hour Netflix stand-up special Chosen & Taken received acclaim from audiences and peers alike. Known for his sharp wit and spot-on impressions, he has appeared on The Tonight Show and The Late Late Show with James Corden. He stars in the upcoming films Trust Me, I’m a Doctor and The Badchan. His hit podcast Stars of David is the #1 Jewish podcast in America. Gold blends clever observations with hilarious characters, delivering high-energy, smart, and relatable comedy that appeals to a wide range of audiences.
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