Trustee and Past President Diane Lapis and Dr. Steven Payne, Director of the Bronx County Historical Society, have prepared a fascinating program on the resort Camp Nitgedaiget and the Coops (a related housing development in the Bronx) for Jewish progressives and Communist sympathizers. Camp Nitgedaiget (pronounced “Nish-guh-die-get” and meaning “no worries” in Yiddish), operated from 1922 until the early 1950s and was located in the hamlet of Dutchess Junction, about two miles south of Beacon on Route 9D.  Starting modestly with only tents, the camp quickly grew to accommodate up to 1,000 patrons daily through features such as its hotel. 

The meeting will complement our next exhibit, to be focused on Camp Nitgedaiget and the Coops, opening on July 26 at our headquarters, 61 Leonard Street.