REMAINS OF THE BORSCHT BELT—THE DETERIORATION AND DISAPPEARANCE OF THE CATSKILLS HOTELS
WHEN: March 1-April 26. An Opening Celebration will be held on Sunday, March 8, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
WHERE: Arts/Theater Lobby and showcases of the Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC, Ross Family Campus, 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange
ADMISSION: Free
Heidi Warner will be talking about her work and the Catskills on Thursday, March 12 at 10:00 AM and Monday, March 23 at 7:00 PM. The programs are free. Please contact Lisa Suss, lsuss@jccmetrowest.org, to register.
Because of her love for communication, photographer Heidi Warner was drawn naturally to documentary photography—both environmental portraits and interiors. Like many MetroWest residents, her family visited the Catskill Mountains on vacation.
She states, “We had a huge extended Jewish family, and over 100 of us would reunite in one of the many Borscht Belt hotels. Spending time in these hotels, I learned the value of family and close bonds .It was a simple and wonderful time and an era important to New York history as well as Jewish culture. A few years ago, I returned to these hotels and began documenting their condition. These trips were both sad and beautiful to me. I wandered the abandoned buildings, finding bits and pieces of that amazing time, just left there to rot. Pieces of the past endure snow and rain, gather cobwebs and mold, and slowly deteriorate with age and neglect. I know that one day soon, there will be nothing left.”
Gaelen Gallery East is open during regular JCC hours. Monday-Thursday, 5:30 AM-10:00 PM; Friday, 5:30 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM. For more information, please contact Lisa Suss at 973.530.3413 (lsuss@jccmetrowest.org).
