By Joel Moskowitz, M D, FAPA, FAAP
LOS ANGELES –Many know that Houdini was Jewish and his real name Erich Weiss, son of an itinerant Rabbi. But who is Jewish of the following? David Copperfield, Max Maven, David Blaine and Teller of the team, Penn and Teller? All of them! David Copperfield was born David Seth Kotkin; Max Maven is Phil Goldstein. David Blaine’s mother is Jewish. Who would think a Jewish heritage is in the history of prestidigitators such as Malini, Leipzig, Lafayette, Okito, Fu Manchu, Ballantine and Flosso? All have Jewish roots.
It is something to conjure with that Jews are inordinately represented numerically in the field of magic. A non-scientific survey done by Magic Magazine (1999) revealed that whereas Jews were only 1.6 percent of American population in 1900 and only 2.2% in 2000, a list of 100 prominent magicians included 18.5 percent of Jewish heritage (0.5 refers to Teller)
Jewish history is ambivalent about magic. From Moses’ impressing the Pharoah by turning a stick to snake and vice versa, Jews have celebrated miracles some of which led to conquering overwhelming foes and situations. Kaballah is replete with Jewish mysticism. Many of the rules concerning animals, proper behavior towards others, every day observances have a magical quality – some might call it superstition.
As a profession, the stage magician was an available alternative when some societies forbad Jews from becoming physicians or entering law or banking – all which fields require showmanship and cleverness.
The Skirball Museum companion exhibit to the one which features Houdini, is studded with the historical evolution of performance magic and the eminent roles which many Jews played in it.
Prior to the 17th century, magic was thought of as deception and trickery and devil’s work.
Practitioners could be burned at the stake. With the publication in 1584, first edition, of the Discoverie of Witchcraft a distinction was made allowing for the separation of those who by mastering skills which confound or mystify to entertain from those who were more nefarious. The Skirball has a copy of this seminal text..
Progressively the arena for magicians doing their prestidigitation changed with the venue which audiences preferred. The setting might be a Victorian magic parlor or vaudeville stage and might feature automata (think Disney animatronics) where mechanical figures or objects mimicked human movements and/or abilities.
Dynasties of Jewish families blazed a path to present illusions; Bambergs, Hermanns, Hardeen (Houdini’s brother). Also successful was Rabbi Hirsch Danemark an mnemonist of the 18th century. What with the industrial revolution, and more leisure time and the emergence of vaudeville – variety – music hall – venues made for great illusions. Some of which paraphenalia, the Skirball has on demonstration. What with the progress of transportation, magicians took their acts on the road and brought back features which identified with the exotic places they visited: Theodore Bamberg who lived till 1963 called himself ‘Okito’ and costumed himself both in Japanese and Chinese robes; his son, David, took the stage name ‘Fu Manchu’.
Utilizing the emerging technologies, magicians such as The Great Leon invented his Death Ray Gun which ‘worked’ by radio waves; Mr Electric used light bulbs as props – even having his assistant emerge from a huge one which had been illuminated seconds before.
The Skirball has had the good fortune to have the right to display many artifacts connected with the Golden Age of magic: posters, devices, automata, rare photographs, even film clips.
Complementing the stationary exhibits, visitors may avail themselves of lectures on mentalism, the Conjuring Arts research center, and misadventures of magicians including deaths
Houdini : Art and Magic and The Golden Age for Jews in Magic are proudly displayed at the Skirball until September 04 when the exhibits disappear. Contact : www.skirball.org for other details and discover whether this enchanting exhibit will appear in a location near you. You are sure to be amazed.
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Moskowitz is a freelance writer, with an especial interest in magic, based in San Diego