The SAM used to do the wand-breaking ceremony on Halloween. But it was feared that the ceremony was drawing too much attention to the gravesite and was leading to vandalism. It was decided to hold the ceremony on the date of Houdini's death on the Jewish calendar. But I am hoping the ceremony moves back to Halloween for the 100th next year.
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I remember attending the 50th - 10/31/76 - Larry Weeks was there
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I bet Larry was at all of them back in the day. Now he's just up the hill.
DeleteDo we know if anyone has addressed the significant cracks that have formed in the base of the Excedra?
ReplyDeleteAll the right people are aware of the issue and involved, but no action has been taken yet.
DeleteFunds are being raised, assessments of the damage are ongoing, restorers are being evaluated, and negotiations with the cemetery to permit the work are continuing.
DeleteHonoring HOUDINI and others gone now allows me to remember them, emulate them, and share my warm thoughts about them. Also, at this annual ceremony, I go to the gravesite of Larry Weeks up the hill behind the Houdini gravesite with Fred Pittlla and others to say the Hebrew prayers for him too. I CLEARLY remember Larry Weeks when he was alive standing near his future gravesite telling me, " Benjilini, I plan to be buried here so, I can be buried near the Houdini gravesite. Ironically, there are many Russian etched huge Headstones actually near the Houdini family plot as of 2025. Entering the Cemetery you see many faces looking at you as you walk to the Houdini area right near those Headstones. Houdini would laugh as he created "spiritualistic fake photographs" and now, after his death, there are faces of real people laser etched on their Headstones watching us.
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I'm happy to see this wonderful photo honoring The Great Houdini. I'm also so happy to say that two tiny hearts, one made of Jade, representing Jade Greene (granddaughter of Houdini's first cousin) and one of mother of pearl, representing me, whose ancestors were also from Budapest, were placed at Houdini's gravesite in time for October 31 after I sent them up to the director of the Macpeth Cemetery for placement. He was so kind to do that for us. He explained that they would probably blow away and that was fine by me. Being made of natural minerals, they would just sink into the ground without causing any problems. Long Live Harry Houdini, the magician who never really left us.
ReplyDeleteLong live the king! Long live the king! Long live MY KING!! 🥺❤️ - Abby Martin
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