Swedishkayt: Yidlife Crisis in Stockholm (+ Bazaar!… The Story that Needs to Be Told)

Canada/Sweden 2025 | Directors: Eli Batalion & Jamie Elman | English & Yiddish with English subtitles | 77 minutes

Documentary

In their entertaining and insightful new film SWEDISHKAYT, self-proclaimed “international Yiddish-ish icons” YidLife Crisis – comedy duo Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman – embark on a whirlwind trip to Stockholm where they unearth a hidden treasure trove of Jewish culture.  With their unique blend of humor and heart, Eli & Jamie explore the little-known history of Sweden’s Jewish community – with 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. Along the way, they dive into a Yiddish cultural revival that’s as unexpected as it is joyous. The result is a feel-good portrait of a small but robust community that, against the odds, is thriving – a universal story about diaspora, language, community, and resilience.  

Proudly co-sponsored by the 

JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA 

Jay Joffe Memorial Program

Movie will be preceded by the screening of the short film:

“BAZAAR! …. THE STORY THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD”

Directed by Jennifer Eisenberg & Sheryl Livergant

Executive Produced by Jonthan Joffe

(English, 18 minutes)

Canada 2025 | Directors: Jennifer Eisenberg & Sheryl Livergant | Executive Producer: Jonathan Joffe | English | 18 minutes

Short Documentary

Blintzes, shmattas and bargains – oh my! Bazaar! is the inspirational story of the remarkable women who volunteered for the Calgary Hadassah Bazaar, and the impact that their involvement had on both their lives and the community. Volunteering together for a common purpose, they helped cultivate a strong and cohesive Jewish community, fostering lifelong friendships and personal fulfilment – all while showcasing Calgary’s small but vibrant Jewish community to the city at large. This locally made film features engaging stories told straight from the heart by several of these women, interwoven with rich archival photographs. Bazaar! transports viewers to a bygone era, inspiring a renewed appreciation for personal connection, volunteerism and the value of community.  

The Jay Joffe Memorial Program of the

JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ALBERTA 

The Jay Joffe Memorial Program was launched by Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta (JHSSA) in 2009 to honour the memory of its long-serving founding president, Jay Joffe (1931-2006). This program is dedicated to promoting and featuring Jewish culture and history through activities such as lectures, exhibits, films or performances.

This year, the directors of JHSSA are pleased to again be part of the Beth Tzedec Calgary Jewish Film Festival through the sponsorship of the film Swedishkayt” and the short film “Bazaar!” both of which reflect Jay Joffe’s passions for bringing the love of Jewish history and its preservation to the widest possible audience.