Get ready to add a little extra mensch and meshuga to the month of December! The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival is thrilled to announce we are participating in the 3rd Annual Phoenix Yiddish Culture Festival, taking place in several Valley locations from November 30 through December 6. Whether you grew up hearing Yiddish spoken at the dinner table or your knowledge of the language is pretty much limited to knowing what shvitz or schlep means, this festival will be a delight.
There is an inherent warmth, wit, and soul to Yiddish—the original mamaloshen (mother tongue) where every phrase feels like its own theatrical production. In fact, in the earliest days of movie making, Yiddish film put on the screen our ancestors’ biggest laughs, deepest heartbreaks, and grandest family stories, laying the foundation for modern Jewish film.
Yiddish culture has colored movie history for nearly a century. Classic Yiddish cinema gave us haunting folklore masterpieces like The Dybbuk (1937), while mainstream Hollywood later embraced those roots with the popular adaptation of Sholom Aleichem’s Fiddler on the Roof (1971). Today’s filmmakers are sparking a fresh Yiddish revival with gems like Menashe (2017)—an indie shot almost entirely in Yiddish in Brooklyn.
We couldn’t miss out on all this fun, so the Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival is officially joining the party! We’ll be presenting a fantastic, bite-sized Yiddish short film Klezmerette during the festival. It’s funny, moving, and the perfect reminder of how a few choice Yiddish words can instantly hit you right in the kishkes. Additionally, there will be a virtual discussion with the film’s subject Daniella Rabbani.
So leave your worries at the door, round up your favorite people, and come celebrate the warm, wonderful world of Yiddish culture. “One of my favorite things about this festival is the intergenerational quality. We have some programming specifically for kids or adults, but also a lot of programming designed to connect people across generations,” says the Festival’s Artistic Director Max Schwimmer.
Festival Schedule & Highlights
- When: November 30 – December 6, 2026, with the majority of events taking place Dec. 3-6
- Where: Various locations around Phoenix
- GPJFF Spotlight: Sunday, December 6, 5pm, at Beth El Synagogue: Screening of the just released short film Klezmerette featuring Yiddish singer, actress, and filmmaker Daniella Rabbani, and virtual discussion.
- What Else to Expect: Live musical performances, dance performances, interactive language trivia/workshops, art exhibits, storytelling, and delicious local treats!
- Price: With a commitment to accessibility, most programming is offered free of charge with an optional donation.
- For more information, including the festival schedule and registration details, visit phoenix-yiddish.org.