Studying Torah isn’t usually a laughing matter, but on Sunday, redoubtable Jewish comic Sol Bernstein will be performing to help Islington’s only synagogue raise funds for its first scroll.

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

Sol Bernstein, the “oldest living Jewish comedian”, will be headlining and, by his own admission, will be sure to offend and delight in equal measure.

When asked what topics are his go-to for comedy, Sol – “the oldest living Jewish comedian” –  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 Jameson, 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” taking 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

For tickets for the afternoon show, click here 

For tickets for the evening show, click here