Book Group - The Last Dekrepitzer by author Howard Langer

Author event co-sponsored by Seaside, Lewes Public Library, Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, and Browseabout Books.

Howard Langer will be interviewed by Seaside member, Susan Aaronson, about his novel, The Last Dekrepitzer, which won the Jewish Book Council’s 2025 award for best first novel.

The story follows the sole survivor, Sam Lightup (born Shmuel Meir Lichtbencher) the rebbe of a fictional Hasidic Dynasty, to the heart of segregated America in rural Mississippi where he lives for years speaking Black English, preaching, and playing the blues. But after he marries a Black woman violating laws against inter-racial marriage, they are forced to flee to New York City. Music plays a major role for this character throughout as his way to relate with God, with the Black community that brings him to America and hides him in Mississippi, and in NYC with the famous blind blues guitarist, Reverend Gary Davis. Repeated readings reveal more insights in this emotional narrative dealing with issues of race, the legacy of the Holocaust, and God’s relationship with humanity.

The event is free, but you must register in order to attend via zoom.

Registration is required on the Library website: https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/16210585