Jennie Grossinger & Elaine Grossinger Etess

Jennie Grossinger & Elaine Grossinger Etess

(Jennie Grossinger June 16, 1892 - November 20, 1972)

(Elaine Grossinger Etess December 9, 1927 - )

In 1914, Grossinger's Resort and Country Club was founded by Harry and Jennie Grossinger. Grossinger's started as a summer boardinghouse that featured kosher cuisine. The resort flourished and by the end of World War II; Grossinger's was a 600-room, 812 acre facility that attracted approximately 300,000 guests each year. The facilities included a 27-hole golf course, a shopping arcade, a ski slope, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a post office, two kosher kitchens and a nightclub. Grossinger's was a favorite of celebrities. Eddie Fisher's rise to stardom began at the resort.

After Jennie's death in 1972, Elaine Grossinger Etess and her brother Paul assumed ownership of the resort. Under her leadership Grossinger's reached it's height of maturity and success. In 1985 the resort was sold to a group of New York City investors. Currently Elaine and her husband reside in Boca Raton, Florida where she is President of Elaine G. Etess Associates, a hospitality industry consulting firm.

Jennie was instrumental in the development and day to day operations of the resort and continued to manage it as she raised her two children. Jennie was also heavily involved in charities and good causes. She received many honorary degrees and awards for her philanthropy. She raised millions of dollars in World War II war bonds and had an Army airplane named " Grossinger?s? honor. In Israel there is a clinic and convalescent home that bears her name. June 16th has been declared Jennie Grossinger day in New York.

In the book, "Jewish Heroes and Heroines of America" it is written, "Jennie Grossinger best personified America. She was poor when she started and rose to riches by her skill as an innkeeper. Grossinger's will always be the symbol of what success is in the hotel industry of America."

Like her Mother, Elaine has been heavily involved in her community. She served as the Chairman for the International Hotel and Motel Show in 1984 and was a member of the Advisory Council to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Travel and Tourism. Elaine was the first woman president of the American Hotel and Motel Association. She is married to David Etess, known to many as "Doc" with whom she had three children. She has been recognized numerous times. Her honors include the Doris L. Crockett Distinguished Service Award from Russell Sage College, the Sullivan County Business & Professional Woman of the Year and the Lawson A. Odde Award from the American Hotel & Lodging Association. She was also the first recipient of the lifetime achievement award at the Quality through Diversity conference for her contribution of promoting diversity and diversity management through the hospitality industry.

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