Hear The New Yorker’s Cartoonists Talk About Jewish Humor in the Catskills this Weekend

Emily Nussbaum, critic and staff writer for The New Yorker, will moderate a lively conversation with cartoonists Liana Finck, David Ostow, Asher Perlman and Avi Steinberg in the Catskills this weekend. The panel will explore the influence of Jewish humor on American comedy and cartooning and how New Yorker cartoons go from concept to publication.

The event takes place on Sunday, July 27 from 2:30pm to 3:30pm at the Annex in Ellenville as part of this year’s Borscht Belt Fest—a celebration of Jewish culture, comedy, food and history in the Catskills. The festival pays tribute to the legacy of the region, which was once a thriving vacation destination for Jewish families and a breeding ground for legendary comedians like Mel Brooks and Joan Rivers.

Expect the panelists to dive into their creative processes, the use of cultural references and how humor shapes their visual storytelling.

This year’s festival features a wide range of other events (look through them here) as well, including a conversation with acclaimed author Gary Shteyngart on Jewish identity and a deep dive into upstate New York’s culinary treasures. That includes a talk about the iconic Borscht Belt brisket—a tender slow-cooked cut of beef traditionally braised with onions and sweet-tangy tomato sauce—and, naturally, a tribute to the area’s beloved bagels.

Snag tickets to The New Yorker cartoonist event here.