YidLife Crisis Explorers Find Surprising Traces of Jewish Life in Detroit

Jamie Elman and Eli Batalion, the Montreal-based Jewish comedians of YidLife Crisis who travel the world looking for unusual slices of Jewish life, set their sights on the Jewish community of Detroit, Michigan a few months ago.

Sure enough, they found some unexpected instances of Jewish life in previous decades, including a shvitz (steam bath) that had been regularly frequented by members of the Purple Gang (Jewish American bootleggers and hijackers in Detroit during the 1920s).

After a venik massage - a back and shoulder massage with a broom made from a fragrant bundle of leafy birch or oak tree twigs, and a nosh at a kosher deli, our intrepid explorers visit the old home of Temple Beth El where a rabbi and a pastor (no, this is not a joke) are building an interfaith community center.

Enjoy!

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