OPINION: Jews are not hiding at the Fringe
More than 50 Jewish acts are performing at Edinburgh Fringe
Over the years, there have been challenging moments for some Jewish performers at the Fringe. I’ve had my posters defaced with swastikas, been booed when introduced as a Jewish comedian, and had audience members challenge me about Israel/Palestine in the middle of a comedy panel show. I’ve also received kindness and care from peers, venue staff, and the festival team I perform with, the PBH Free Fringe.
A few years ago, amid the rise in antisemitism, I set up a support group for Jewish artists at the Fringe, regardless of religious observance or political affiliation. It is now officially recognised by the Edinburgh Fringe Artist Services Department and has immense support from CST and Police Scotland. We’ve have been offered safe spaces and the open arms of the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation and Chabad of Edinburgh, both of whom welcome visitors for meals.
Since October 7, virtually every Jewish performer I know has witnessed antisemitism in the industry and in recent months the situation has escalated. I’ve seen threads on social media targeting Jewish performers and warning them that Zionists are not welcome, that they should beware of setting foot in Edinburgh. I’ve asked other Jewish performers what’s made them choose to stick their heads above the parapet there this summer, and they’ve almost all responded that they are driven by Jewish pride.
My own show, Ultimate Jewish Mother, is back because for me, performing this show has become a form of activism. I stand there proudly in my Jewish skin, wearing identifiably Jewish clothing and symbols, loving my heritage and loving the audience who’ve chosen to spend an hour with me. It ends with a call for peace and the release of the hostages. It’s been nominated for awards and had some lovely press, but the most meaningful feedback has been non-Jewish audience members saying that I reminded them of their mum, and how more unites us than divides us.
I asked some of the other Jewish performers why they felt so strongly about appearing this summer, against such a backdrop of resistance and senseless hatred.
Briyah Paley said: “I am a proud Jewish woman and nothing can change that. My story is a Jewish story because I am Jewish, but I hope anyone will be able to relate to my experience of being labelled, no matter what religion or background you have.”
Amy Veltman said: “I seriously debated whether to publicly ‘out’ myself as Jewish for the Fringe. As a comedian in New York City, a lot of my material had been about growing up Jewish in a state (Oregon) and community with a long history of white, Christian supremacy and how silly and ignorant the antisemitism was there. After October 7, those jokes became instantly unfunny to me, and in New York City, for several months, you could feel an audience tighten up at the very word ‘Jewish’. In the summer of 2023, I happened to be developing a show that had nothing to do with my Judaism or my identity (though it does delve deeply into gut health, which many would argue is a very Jewish issue). I felt guilty about how grateful I was that I could throw myself into something that, on the surface, had nothing to do with being Jewish. While I wrestled with whether to publicly list my solo show and myself as Jewish, it seemed dishonest and slightly cowardly for me to remain closeted.”
Edward Einhorn said: “My show is about two women, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, who felt that they could not be public about their lesbian or Jewish identities because of the times they live in. No matter the antisemitism now, it is important not to let ourselves be drawn back into the times where we hide our Jewishness.”
Sophia Wolbrom said: “My show, Can’t Find My Way Home, isn’t explicitly Jewish (although I do talk about my summers going to sleep away camp), however I think the struggle to figure out where I feel like I belong is an inherently Jewish one. My grandfather, along with great grandparents and great aunt escaped Poland aged five on the Lusitania, which was the first British passenger ship torpedoed in WWII, leaving me to be the direct descendant of Holocaust refugees; I stand on the shoulders of survivors and as such I have never hidden my Jewish identity. When people ask me what my relationship with Scotland is, I recount my grandfather’s story because it was a Scottish rescue boat that he was saved by. The world right now is a scary place, I would be lying if I didn’t say as much, but my lived experiences have been through the lens of a Jewish woman, and so to hide that away would be ignoring the context of how I move through the world – with a Magen David around my neck.”
Danielle Solof said: “Because I don’t hate myself. I’m still going to live my life on my terms, regardless of what other people think.”
Jeremy Sassoon said: “Firstly, I love the show too much to not do the Fringe again this year. Nothing still gives me more pleasure than painting the picture of the most positive Jewish trope in history… that of the music makers! However, I must admit to a mischievous part of me that would enjoy exposing the nonsensical correlation between the smash hits of Carole King and Barry Manilow and the supposed actions of the Israeli military. Naturally I hope none of this will be relevant. Peace and love!”
Leslie Gold said: “I have always had a precarious relationship with my Jewishness because I am an atheist. However, it’s important to own who you are, whatever your beliefs, so I identify as a Jewish atheist and that’s a group I’m proud to be part of. It took me far too long in life to find my voice and I won’t let anyone silence me. Paraphrasing here, but ‘never let the antisemites grind you down’ seem like solid words to live by.”
Rachel McKay Steele said: “I’m always going to identify as a Jewish performer, quite loudly in fact (though I am pretty loud in general). I believe that art and Jewish joy can be incredibly effective in fighting antisemitism. I’m bringing my show to Fringe this year because I think the show is ready. I’m certainly not naive about what’s happening, but Jewish tradition teaches us that pain and joy can and do live side by side. Comedy and live theater are powerful vehicles for empathy and shared human experience.”
Ivor Dembina said;: “I was the first ever Jewish stand-up to present a solo hour at the Edinburgh fringe in 1994 – Stand Up Jewish Comedy. This year, I’m doing two different shows. The first, Millwall Jew is about my lifelong relationship to football and how, despite being raised in north London, I came to be a Jewish fan of South London’s Millwall FC. The second show is a compilation offering from the previous fringe shows over the years entitled, I Should Have Listened to Ivor Dembina‘.
At this year’s festival there are around 50 shows written and/or performed by Jews, across theatre, comedy and music. We’ll make you laugh, we’ll make you cry, and we’ll remind you that we are your community too.
Ultimate Jewish Mother is at Whistlebinkies 3-24 August (not Saturdays) at 1.30pm. For tickets visit edfringe.com
To read about the Jewish acts appearing at Edinburgh Fringe in 2025 click here.
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