Many immigrant Jews liked to vacation in upstate New York. The Swan Lake Hotel in Sullivan County in the Catskills was owned by my great-grandfather, and it was a popular resort for many Jewish Families. The hotel had a nice pool and many outdoor activities were featured. There was also evening entertainment and dancing.

The Swan Lake Hotel was part of my family history, and it was part of an important part of American Jewish culture that existed for many years. The tradition of Jewish families going "to the mountains" to resorts such as the Swan Lake Hotel has almost entirely disappeared today.