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Feedback for Jewish Adult Education Programs Arthur’s visit to Portland was a huge success on many levels. It was an amazing community-building weekend with four congregations and the Jewish Genealogical Society co-sponsoring his visit. Over three days he spoke for over an hour in two services, led Talmud study, gave a Kabbalah lecture, was the honored guest at a Patron Brunch, did his renowned Magic Show and finally led a two part Genealogy workshop. He is engaging, wise, knowledgeable, kind and generous. He is also a born entertainer and teacher and we felt he could have been here a week and we still would want more! Weeks later the community is still abuzz discussing his teachings and the mitzvah of our congregations coming together to learn. We’re bringing him back. "Arthur Kurzweil's presentations are everything you could want from a speaker and more. They are educational, entertaining, moving and meaningful. At our synagogue he has offered lectures, adult education classes, religious school programs, and scholar-in-residence weekends. He is an extraordinary speaker who appeals to congregants
of all ages and backgrounds. Our congregation has been delighted
again and again." “Arthur Kurzweil captivates audiences
with his unique magic. He is a gifted educator to all ages.” "Arthur Kurzweil had our audience
mesmerized with his presentation on Jewish genealogy. Kurzweil has
a presence that will captivate his audience on any topic, including
'Talmud and magic!'" “Arthur Kurzweil is one of the most interesting and engaging speakers I’ve ever heard. I’ve had him as a Scholar In Residence in my two congregations and people couldn’t get enough. Everyone wants to know when he’s coming back. His range of subjects from genealogy to talmud to theology through magic is breathtaking.” -Rabbi David Fine |
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“Mesmerizing! That is how I would put Arthur Kurzweil’s
impact on my congregation. From his very first introductory lecture
to his final session where he performed a theological magical
show, Mr. Kurzweil had the audience rapt attention. What makes
Kurzweil’s presence even more valuable, is that while you
may think you are being entertained, what you really are doing
is coming to grips with the wealth and beauty of Jewish tradition.” Arthur Kurzweil's “Searching
for God in a Magic Shop” mesmerized the
audience with his wonderful blend of fascinating Torah telling,
magic prowess and humor. He was able to take a profound topic
and make it intelligible and enjoyable for both youngsters and
adults. His interactive presentation has given new meaning to
the word Abracadabra and helped all to a better understanding
of where and how Judaism and Magic meet. Excellent! “Arthur Kurzweil’s evening at our Temple proved to
be an engaging, entertaining and educational experience. The audience
was captivated by his use of prestidigitation to explain Jewish
thought and ideology. From the youngest members in our audience
to the more senior among us, we all agree that our evening with
Arthur was truly magical.” "Mr. Kurzweil was an absolute delight. I am a professional magician
and have been professionally trained, yet what Arthur did with
us was something rarely seen. He was "edge-of-your-seat" interesting.
He was witty. He was endearing. He had a roomful of magicians
so caught up in his stories and his personal revelations, that
even we were fooled by his magic." "Using his magician's skills like a golden key, Arthur Kurzweil
unlocked the treasure chest of Torah teachings before a captive
audience. A thoroughly unique, entertaining and highly informative
presentation. Kudos to Mr. Kurzweil for his creativity, charm
and chochma." "Arthur Kurzweil's presentation of Searching for God in a Magic
Shop was nothing short of outstanding. Mr. Kurzweil kept our Adult
Education audience riveted by his tricks, sprinkled with fascinating
stories from the Talmud and Midrash." "Arthur Kurzweil's magic show is an enchanting tour of Jewish
thought which left us thrilled and amazed." “Arthur Kurzweil’s program, “Searching
for God in a Magic Shop”, was wonderful! His usual
warm, down-to-earth, menschlich style immediately established
a wonderful, warm rapport with all the students. His sensitivity
and respect for all the different ways students express and celebrate
their Jewishness truly have a meaningful impact on them. I - and
the students - were so impressed with the way he so brilliantly
and creatively used a dazzling magic show to share with everyone
your wisdom on Jewish values. He has a unique, very effective
way of engaging the audience with his warm personal style, insights
from Jewish texts, and inspiring stories form Jewish tradition
and from his own life experience. It is clear from the enthusiastic
feedback that students and staff not only loved his presentation,
but also learned a great deal.” I’ve just experienced Arthur Kurzweil’s fascinating performance and it was enchanting! It goes way beyond your typical magic act. A harmonious blend of Torah insight, superb story-telling and deftly-accomplished illusions make for a really magical event. My whole-hearted recommendations for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Arthur Kurzweil spoke at our Synagogue and he was a tremendous hit! Who
ever thought that there could be a "Jewish Magic Show"? And who ever
figured that something so entertaining could be so profound, and meaningful? |
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Arthur's Kurzweil's Magic show was not only entertaining but
informative as well. He very subtly encourages the children to
read by connecting the art of magic with the art of reading. We
enjoyed having him and I would recommend this program to schools
and libraries. Initially, Arthur introduces himself to the assembled children and parents in delightful fashion. He possesses a naturally charismatic and engaging personality, investing the audience in his program virtually from the moment he begins to the conclusion of his final trick. Arthur presents a wonderful arsenal of illusions and sleight of hand, combining humor and his obvious and stated love of books and libraries with a heavy dose of audience participation. And therein lies one of the most impressive aspects of Arthur and his program. Arthur constantly points to titles that he requests be pre-prepared, and informs the children that a world of magic and wonder can be found within the very room in which his magic is being performed. While performing, Arthur gustily endorses reading, informing the assemblage how very important it is to both visit and support their local library. While libraries are continually trying to impress this fact upon their patronage, having someone like Arthur do so can really serve to make a difference. But, Arthur doesn't stop there. All children like to feel "important." Arthur successfully indulges this need by soliciting audience participation and making inquiries of the children. When Arthur does elect to bring a child up to the stage, he makes certain to put the child at ease as being in front of 80+ patrons can prove to be intimidating to a youngster. Arthur has the child help him perform the trick and ensures that the child's cooperation is acknowledged and appreciated by the audience. This serves to make that child feel important and integral to the performance. At the end of Arthur's show he conducts a trick wherein a dollar bill is locked within a wooden framework. Once the dollar is freed, Arthur donates it to the library and informs the assembled patrons that there are any number of ways to help support their local libraries, financial donations being but one. As Arthur was packing up a true indicator of his popularity and
that of his performance occurred. The children stripped my collection
of books on magic, books about famous magicians, and he was simply
overwhelmed by youngsters asking him questions and begging for
"just 1 more trick." Those who pleaded with him included a library
staff member! I would like to recommend Arthur Kurzweil to any group who would like a professional, well-prepared and interesting presenter of magical fun. He came to my library as part of the 2004 Summer Reading Club, which featured the theme: "Discover New Trails at Your Library." With his library background, he was able to link his magic tricks so neatly to books and the library that I felt we had a very effective public relations person working for us. He also alerted me ahead of time to the topics he would cover in his show, so that I was able to bring in library books to display, which he encouraged the audience to check out after the program. The audience really seemed to enjoy his patter, also and were anxious to participate in the magic tricks. I would recommend Arthur as one of the most unusual and educational
presenters I have ever invited to our library. |
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