The SAM used to do the wand-breaking ceremony on Halloween. But it was feared the ceremony was drawing too much attention to the gravesite and resulting in vandalism. It was decided to hold the ceremony on the date of Houdini's death on the Jewish calendar, which is why the ceremony was so late this year.
I, for one, would love to see the ceremony move back to Halloween or the day after. As long as it's not promoted in advance, it will not draw a crowd, and the area has improved. Maybe for the 100th?
Photos courtesy Benjilini and AJ Bernstein.
Related:
Do we know whether Houdini was buried within a concrete “vault” to protect the coffin or was the coffin buried directly into the ground?
ReplyDeleteAfraid I don't know. Were concrete vaults common back then? Were they used in Jewish cemeteries?
DeleteIf I had to guess Id say no. That would then explain the tombstone starting to sink on one side. The coffin is deteriorating.
DeleteAny updates on that nasty crack opening up on the back of the Exedra?
ReplyDeleteI want to visit his grave and give him some shiny rocks!
ReplyDelete- Abby Martin
And give Theo one too.
Leopold gets one too! Everyone gets a shiny rock!
Joe Devlin and Benjalini orchestrated a beautiful ceremony. Glad Joe is heading the fund raising of the gravesites restoration. By the cemetery office was many concrete vaults. But no idea if this was used in 1926.
ReplyDeleteSince the 80's, I have attended this solemn gravesite ceremony. I never knew as a youngster growing up in the 60's, I would lead this "SAM-P.A#1 ANNUAL BROKEN WAND CEREMONY FOR HARRY HOUDINI." Jacob Weisz as he was known in the cheder(Yeshiva)of Rabbi Bernard Drachman who was the Rabbi of his Bar Mitzvah back in 1887 would grow up to be the legendary "HOUDINI!" Although, I could express the sadness I continue to feel for the loss of my beloved Mom, Nechama Mindle Mildred A"H 9 years ago, and the loss of Rabbi Noah Valley in 2018 who led this annual. Ceremony for decades with the Hebrew prayers as I do now(since 2016), I honor their memories for the training they both provided me to conduct these Hebrew prayers. Every year, I have been told by many people attending this annual event, "Benjilini, this was a very moving experience for me." How can it not be? My concluding words at the end of this Yahrtzeit ceremony is always respectful, reflective, and, thankful to honor these giants of magic. Let us be good to the prestidigitators while they are yet alive and continue to respect those that are long gone. I say to that, "AMEN." Benjilini
ReplyDelete