Islington’s only synagogue is raising funds to purchase a permanent Torah scroll through two special entertainment shows this weekend in central London.

The shows, one on Sunday afternoon, the other on Sunday evening, will feature a variety of performers, including classical musicians, magicians and stand-up comics, with proceeds and raffle ticket sales going to the Torah scroll fund.

One of the main acts will be redoubtable comic Sol Bernstein, the “oldest living Jewish comedian”, who is sure to offend and delight audiences equally.

When asked what topics are his go-to for comedy, Sol told the JC: “Sex is very important to me. Then family, very loosely politics, but basically rude stuff. And flirting with women in the audience,” he said, “which usually comes off well when they think you’re really 88 years old.”

Unlike his character Sol, who has been in comedy for some “70 years”, Steve, the comic’s real name, “woke up one day” in his mid 40s and realised he wanted to take a stab at a career in comedy.

And unlike Sol, who was born in Belarus, Steve was born and raised in Stamford Hill.

Even if the meaning of the occasional Yiddish word is missed, the vast majority of Sol’s jokes are palatable for a wider, non-Jewish audience, with the comedian being a regular on the comedy club scene in London.

Sunday’s performance for Chabad Islington, however, will allow Sol to feature some of his “insider” Jewish jokes.

He says he has not run into problems performing in mainstream clubs as an openly Jewish person, even after October 7. “So far, nothing adverse has happened,” he said, “no problems on stage. I work probably three, sometimes four nights a week and, touch wood, no real problems.”

Sol Bernstein

Since October 7, however, he insists that he is introduced as the “world’s oldest living Jewish comedian” before he comes on stage. “That way people know what they’re getting, and I can either run away or stay and fight, based on their reaction,” he says.

He employs elements of “Jewish humour” which take after some of his comedy inspirations, Woody Allen and Mel Brooks. In Jewish humour, there is “certainly a rhythm. There’s a style to it,” he says.

Alongside Sol, the shows will feature magicians, a “luxury” raffle prizes, live classical music and a performance by a performance artist.

The Torah scroll, once bought, will be housed permanently in Chabad Islington and will be inscribed in memory of lawyer Julian Young, the former president of West London Law Society and a Chabad Islington congregant, who was a keen humanitarian. Julian passed away from leukaemia in August 2021.

Tickets cost £20, with spaces limited.

https://www.jewishislington.co.uk/events-1/variety-show-in-support-of-a-torah-scroll-afternoon-show

https://www.jewishislington.co.uk/events-1/variety-show-in-support-of-a-torah-scroll-evening-show