Magicians who moved from the marketplace to the theater and became world-famous stars. That, in a nutshell, is what happened around 1900, and Jewish artists played a leading role in it. The exhibition “Abracadabra” at the Jewish Museum shows how that leap came about, who was behind it, and what drove them. It’s not a dry history lesson, but an exhibition where you can take a look behind the scenes and roll up your sleeves.
The best-known name is Harry Houdini, the “King of Escape” who amazed his audiences time and time again. Houdini is one of the central figures in *Abracadabra*, along with Horace Goldin, famous for his spectacular sawing illusions, and the legendary duo Alexander and Adelaide Herrmann. Four names that ring like bells in the world of magic, and which are presented here for the first time in context as representatives of a specific cultural tradition.
The Jewish Museum itself is a unique venue for such an exhibition. The complex consists of four restored synagogues from the 17th and 18th centuries, located in the heart of the city. That historical context lends extra significance to the stories about Houdini and his contemporaries: these were performers who grew up in a world full of restrictions and barriers, and who used the stage to carve out a place for themselves.
The Bamberg family was active as magicians for six generations—an unparalleled Dutch-Jewish dynasty of magicians—and it is precisely that long lineage that makes their story so compelling.
The Bamberg family was active as magicians for six generations—an unparalleled Dutch-Jewish dynasty of magicians—and it is precisely that long lineage that makes their story so compelling. *Abracadabra* runs from September 25, 2026, through March 29, 2027. Long enough to take your time, but also long enough to forget about it if you’re not careful. Make a note of it now.