Marisa Scheinfeld

Marisa Scheinfeld is a Lecturer of Photography in the School of Art+Design at Purchase College, State University of New York. Her work bridges photography, cultural history, and preservation, with a focus on the Catskills region and its significance in American Jewish life.

Education:

• B.A., State University at Albany, 2002
• M.F.A., San Diego State University, 2011

Her research and creative practice explore regional landscapes and their hidden histories, using photography as a tool for cultural preservation. She is particularly known for documenting the remnants of the Borscht Belt, a once-thriving Jewish vacation region in the Catskills. Her work engages with themes of memory, decay, identity, and public history, often blending visual documentation with narrative storytelling.

Marisa's publications and projects reflect a strong trend in documentary photography and cultural heritage. Her books and exhibitions focus on American Jewish history, landscape transformation, and the preservation of marginalized or forgotten narratives. The recurring themes across her work include abandonment, cultural memory, and the intersection of place and identity.

Scientific and Professional Awards:

• 2024 Jewish Studies Faculty Research/Professional Development Award, Purchase College

Marisa Scheinfeld actively contributes to public scholarship and community engagement through her role as an educator and through her founding of the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project, a nonprofit historic preservation initiative. This project includes a large-scale marker trail, curated public programming, and an audio driving tour. She has presented her work widely at institutions such as the New York Public Library, the National Building Museum, and the Center for Jewish History, indicating strong outreach and interdisciplinary collaboration. There is no mention of formal research grants in the provided text, but her award supports her professional development.

She leads the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project, which functions as a multidisciplinary team involving historians, designers, and community stakeholders. The initiative combines historical research, public art, and educational programming to interpret and preserve the cultural legacy of the Catskills.