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Writings about Dr. Joel Moskowitz
(for biographical sketch, scroll to November 4, 2005)

-1958-
Undated—Dr. Joel Moskowitz was photographed while examining an infant during his tenure as  Chief of Juvenile Diabetes Clinic at The Mount
Sinai Hospital Medical School in New York City.  (See photo)

-1960-
Undated—Dr. Joel Moskowitz was photographed in U.S. Air Force uniform while serving as chief of pediatrics at the air force base in Bermuda. (link to photo)

-1964-
June 11-14, 1964—"Engaged to Local Doctor," Long Island Post: Mr. and Mrs. Irving Weinstein of New York and Irvington-on-Hudson, announce the engagement of their daughter, Arlene, to Joel A. Moskowitz, MD. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Morris A. Moskowitz of Forest Hills. A summer wedding is planned. Miss Weinstein is a graduate of New York University School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance, where she was a member of Iota Nu Sigma, Insurance honorary society, and Roeps, Real estate honorary. She received an LLB degree from New York Law School and is a practicing member of the New York Bar.  Dr. Moskowitz is an alumnus of The City College where he received the degree of Bachelor of Science cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Presently he is on the Full Time Pediatric Attending Staff of The Mount Sinai Hospital. (Link to wedding invitation and clippings) {The couple was married August 14, 1964}

-1974-
June 18, 1974—Academy of Magical Arts to Joel A. Moskowitz, M.D, F.A.A.P., Director Impatient Services, Resthaven Hospital, Community Mental Health Center, 765 College St, Los Angeles, Calif. 90012, Dear Joel: We at the Magic Castle, and in the name of  The Academy of Magical Arts which is as you know the leading professional organization in the United States extends to you congratulations! Your treatise "The Sorcerer's Apprentice of the Use of Magic in the Psychotherapy of Children" is a classic in the combined fields of conjuring and psychology. It is a pleasure to have an authority such as yourself available for consultation in this interesting and specialized area.  Please accept our warm and enthusiastic support."  Magically, William Larsen, Jr., President; Dai Vernon, Emeritus: (link to photocopy)

-2002-
November 29, 2002—Donald H. Harrison, "Eight Stories for Eight Nights," San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage

-2005-
November 4, 2005—Arlene Moskowitz, "A Biographical Sketch of My Husband," written for the Louis Rose Society website:

There is the tale that a little boy said to his father, "Dad, when I grow up I want to be a magician."  The father replied, "You can't do both son." By being a renaissance person, Joel A Moskowitz has managed to conquer this aphorism.

It can be said that Joel first lost his head over magic when he was the foil for Dell O'Dell performing the guillotine illusion at his sixth grade assembly. It took some convincing to persuade his father, a Romanian immigrant and a 'sweat shop' tailor that there was some utilitarian value to purchasing  "The Secrets of Houdini." ; However, Joel soon became a (low) paid performer.  Effects were built out of balsa wood.   His master craftsman father designed costumes.  His father looked like Rudolph
Valentino and had been approached to be an understudy of Valentino but shyly declined.  A vicarious pleasure resulted when Morris created Tango style costumes for Joel the Wizard.

Joel Moskowitz excelled academically.  Night and weekends, he sought out the denizens who inhabited Al Flosso's  Martinka and Tannens.  Befriended by Abe Hurwitz, father of Shari Lewis (celebrated puppet entertainer) aka Peter Pan the Magic Man, Joel met Dunninger and other celebrities of magic.

Ascending the steps of academia, Joel graduated Magna cum laude (also magician cum laude).  He graduated The City College of New York (CCNY) with a degree in Biochemistry and Mathematics. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Receiving scholarships to the State University College of Medicine, Downstate he enrolled in medical school  Perennially working at more than one major activity, he served in Emergency Room labs to supplement costs. During these years there was little time for magic. In Medical School, he was elected to the prestigious medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. Upon graduation with his M.D, he chose to become a Pediatrician. Following Fellowship at The Mt Sinai Medical School in New York, he enlisted in the U.S.A.F. During his tenure as Chief of Pediatrics, he resumed writing: "The Sorcerers Apprentice" or the use of magic in
psychotherapy with children.  This monograph has been much acclaimed by mental health professionals and magicians including the eminent Dai Vernon, Doug Henning and many others.

Another sort of magic which has held a  long attraction for Joel is the ability to conjure with words.  In addition to medical articles for the "trade," he has been published in Karl Fulves' Pallbearers Review, MUM, Genii, The Linking Ring,  edited and wrote a  review column for The Magic Magazine, wrote for the International Guild of Prestidigitators (won First
Prize for his articles three years in a row) and most appreciatively won The Best Article for 2003 for his article in The Linking Ring of that year.

He has been a member of many magic associations, including SAM Parent Assembly No 1 (Chairman of the Admissions Committee), The Magic Guild in New York, which Houdini himself founded, the P.E.A., Psychics Entertainers
Association, the International Guild of Prestidigitators, IGP, The PCAM (Pacific Coast Association of Magicians), the Academy of Magical Arts (Hollywood) and he holds the Shield of Merlin for his long time continuous membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians (over 35 years) He has been Consultant and lecturer for CSICOP, Committee for the Study of
Claims of the Paranormal.

Joel is double board certified in two medical specialties.  He has taken training in Psychiatry, and Child Psychiatry, Community Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry (No. Not how to do psychiatry with dead people! Forensic (read the word to indicate the Roman Forum where laws were made) refers to those select psychiatrists who are considered experts by the Courts. He has directed Community Mental Health Hospitals (one in Los Angeles served a multicultural Asian population as well as being the first program for the mentally ill deaf in California)  served in many professorial academic and administrative positions, been on the faculty of The Mount Sinai Hospital Medical School, New York, Columbia University, UCLA, and USC and received the honor of being appointed Fellow of both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association.

 In 1995, he 'retired'.  He has continued his love for magic and served as Vice President of the award winning Ring 76 in San Diego.  Concomitantly, he was asked to write a Medical Column for a weekly San Diego newspaper. The San Diego Jewish Press - Heritage.   In that context, he won both a San Diego Press Award and another award from the Society of Professional
Journalists.  He writes often for various medical and magical media including MagiCurrents, the monthly journal edited by Jack White of Ring 76.  He also authors a column for Magicanna, The Journal of New Zealand Magical Societies. And he is a frequent contributor to The Linking Ring, Journal of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

On a personal note, Joel and I have just celebrated our  41st anniversary. He likes to tell me that I am  the magic in his life, and, I confess, I like to hear it.  We have two daughters who have achieved in their professions: Danielle is a successful senior executive with Merrill Lynch, mother of Sarah and Ariella.  Danielle and David, a corporate attorney, live in Century City. Michelle-Shari (named inspired by Shari Lewis) is an attorney, a judge and a mother of two.  Joel introduced Michelle's husband to the manufacturers of D'light, a much used magician's gadget,  and Steve has been their supplier for a long time.  Joel doesn't own a D'light.  As for me, I am an attorney specializing in financial planning. In addition to a J.D. from New York Law School,  I have an MS from Columbia University in New York on Community Psychiatry and  Medical Epidemiology.
 
Like Joel, our  family shares a talent for multiple roles.

Joel has managed to demonstrate that contrary to the admonition that one cannot both grow up and become a magician, he has.


-2006-
January 3, 2006—Donald H. Harrison, "The Symbolism of Houdini," jewishsightseeing.com, with a reply by Joel Moskowitz

February 16, 2006—Joel Moskowitz, readers react to idea of American Jewish History Month, jewishsightseeing.com

2006-08-09—Donald H. Harrison, "The Man from Beyond revives Houdini-Doyle rivalry in novel form," jewishsightseeing.com