Event

Kenneth Silverman: Harry Houdini – Jewish Star of American HistoryPost an Event »

Contemporary Jewish Museum

December 8 - December 8, 2011

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736 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94103
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Kenneth Silverman, Pulitzer-prize winning biographer and author of Houdini!!! The Career of Ehrich Weiss, discusses Houdini’s leadership in creating the Rabbis’ Sons Theatrical Benevolent Association, a group that included the most famous Jewish entertainers of the day, such as Al Jolson and Irving Berlin. Silverman also addresses how Houdini used his fame to combat anti-Semitism and the significant legacy of Jews and magic in American history. Silverman, professor emeritus of English at New York University, has also published biographies on Cotton Mather, Edgar Allan Poe, and Samuel F. B. Morse. A fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he has received the Bancroft Prize in American History, the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, the Edgar Award of the Mystery Writers of America, and the Christopher Literary Award of the Society of American Magicians. Presented in conjunction with the exhibition Houdini: Art and Magic ADMISSION: $10 general (includes Museum admission)