The Jewish Vacation Guide, first published around 1916, was a compilation of places where it was safe for Jews to eat, sleep and visit. Dozens of the listings touted kosher meals, often made with farm-fresh butter and eggs. The guide connected Jews to a network of places that did not just tolerate, but welcomed them. Many of the rented rooms were far from luxurious, but they made up for modest offerings with hospitality and affordability. A large number of these places were in the Catskills, which became a hot spot for Jews looking to escape the oppressive summer heat of New York City tenements. The guide served as inspiration for Victor Hugo Green's "Negro Motorist Green Book."
