Preview

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Saturday, January 18 at 8pm The Hub at Temple Beth Am
Sunday, January 19 at 4pm Michael-Ann Russell JCC

Canada-Sweden | 60 minutes | 2025

Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm

World Premiere

Get ready to laugh and kvell with Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm as self-proclaimed international Yiddish-ish icons YidLife Crisis—comedy duo Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman—bravely step onto Swedish soil to unearth a hidden treasure trove of Jewish culture. From the moment they arrive in Stockholm, our heroes, like gefilte fish out of water, prepare for a big live show while unraveling the little-known history of Sweden’s Jewish community in their hilarious and heartfelt journey.

Through meshugenah encounters and eye-opening revelations, they explore tales spanning 250 years, from the earliest Jewish immigrants to discovering how Yiddish, an almost forgotten language, became a protected government-recognized language in Sweden—yes, THAT Sweden! Along the way, they dive into a cultural revival that’s as unexpected as it is joyous.

Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm is a warm and funny portrait of a community that thrives on resilience and reinvention, celebrating the quirky, surprising ways that language and identity continue to evolve. It is a love letter to Jewish happiness, unity, and the delightful discoveries waiting just beyond our comfort zones. With their unique blend of humor and heart, Eli & Jamie also remind us that sometimes the most exciting connections pop up where you least expect them—and that Jewish joy is truly universal!

Featuring a special live performance by YidLife Crisis to bring some LIVE SHTIK to this World Premiere event! Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman.

Director's Bio

Directed by Eli Batalion & Jamie Elman

Director Photo
Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman, the comedic duo behind YidLife Crisis, are filmmakers and performers from Montreal celebrated for their unique blend of cultural humor. With over 25 years of credits across television, theater, music, and film including Mad Men, House MD and Curb Your Enthusiasm, their work has been showcased at prominent film festivals, including Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, and SXSW. A shared passion for Jewish comedy led them to create “YidLife Crisis,” the first Yiddish-language sitcom, which humorously explores the complexities of modern Jewish life. The show has received several awards and amassed over four million online views, inspiring live performances across North America and Europe. Their documentary works, including the Global Shtetl series, Narishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Krakow, Chewdaism: A Taste of Montreal, and Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm, continue to explore and celebrate Jewish identity and humor worldwide.

Cast and Credits

Director

Eli Batalion & Jamie Elman

Screenwriter

Eli Batalion, Jamie Elman

Cinematographer

Charlotta Tengroth

Editor

Mark Bendit

Cast

Eli Batalion, Jamie Elman

Film Info

Year

2025

Country

Canada-Sweden

Run-time

60 minutes

Language

English and Yiddish with English subtitles
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