Events

Explore the odyssey of American Jews including the Weisz family (Houdini’s family name) through the immigrant experience with Tony Michels, Director of the Mosse/Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies at the UW-Madison. Why did Jews like the Weisz family come to the US? What kinds of challenges confronted them? How did America shape them and how did they shape America? Sponsored by Felicia & James Miller.

We will be screening the entire "Master Mystery" series throughout the run of 'Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini;' this "Thirdsday' we will screen parts 6-10 and finish the film on December 'Thirdsday.' Join us to view this important piece of film and Houdini history.  

Escape from those crowded shopping malls and join Jewish Museum Milwaukee to learn about the "Sensation of the World," the "Man From Beyond," the "Expert Handcuff Manipulator," the great Harry Houdini this #BlackFriday!

Join magician and Houdini historian, Glen Gerard, for this family-friendly combination magic show and history lesson featuring some of Houdini’s original magic tricks including Metamorphosis and the East Indian Needle Trick. Be entertained by mystery, comedy and a great opportunity to discover things you never knew about the amazing life of legendary Milwaukee illusionist, Harry Houdini.

Houdini was the last of the steam-age celebrities, whose fame grew from many of the same developments that transformed American life in the industrial age. Explore how the notion of celebrity has evolved between Harry Houdini’s time and today with Rick Popp, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Journalism, Advertising and Media Studies at UWM.

Join award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Joe Posnanski as he draws inspiration from his lifelong passion for and obsession with magic, blending biography, memoir, and first-person reporting, to uncover why Harry Houdini's legacy endures, and what he still has to teach the world about wonder.

We will be screening the entire "Master Mystery" series throughout the run of 'Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini;'  this "Thirdsday' we will screen the conclusion of the film. Join us to view the last five parts of this important piece of film and Houdini history.

Looking for something fun to do Christmas Day? Come to Jewish Museum Milwaukee to enjoy Houdini, the 1953 biopic starring then husband-and-wife Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh as Harry and Bess Houdini. Film begins at 1:00 pm, giving you enough time to view the permanent and special exhibits before or after the film.