Jewish comedians unite for CST fundraiser gala

Simon Brodkin hands Prime Minister Theresa May a P45 during her keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference at Manchester Central on October 4, 2017, in Manchester (Getty Images)Getty Images

Also performing will be Rachel Creeger and Philip Simon, who hit the headlines over the summer as their own shows at the Fringe were called off at short notice.

The venue, Whistlebinkies, which had hosted both comedians twice before, cited “safety concerns” for its staff for the impromptu cancellation.

Writing for the JC, Creeger and Simon claimed the decision was made because the “extra security set-up for hosting Jewish performers … made [staff] feel at risk of danger”.

Fortunately, the comedy community rallied around the pair after the incident, and other venues stepped in to host their shows.

Creeger is best known as the only practising Orthodox Jewish woman on the UK comedy circuit, and has performed sell-out shows at the Fringe.

Simon is an award-winning comedian and, with Creeger, hosts the Jew Talkin’ To Me podcast.

Rounding off the lineup will be Sara Barron, Olivia Lee, and Bennett Arron.

Poster for the Jewish Comedy Gala 2026 (Jewish Comedy Gala)[Missing Credit]

Like Brodkin, Barron has appeared on Live at the Apollo and performed at the Fringe. She was born in Chicago before making a name for herself in the UK.

Lee first appeared on the British public’s screens as a presenter on Channel 4’s Balls of Steel, and has been dubbed the “queen of prank TV”.

And Arron, who grew up as the only Jewish boy in Port Talbot, Wales, has written for a litany of television shows on top of his sell-out standup tours.

CST has around 2,000 volunteers and more than 100 members of staff. One of its personnel was injured in the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur this year.

The gala is scheduled to take place in London on the evening of Sunday, January 11.