The Last Dekrepitzer: Dialogue Through History and Literature – with Author Howard Langer and Pastor Carl Day from Culture Changing Christians Worship Center 

Join us for an inspiring evening of dialogue and discovery inspired by Howard Langer’s novel The Last Dekrepitzer. The book explores the deep and complex relationship between the New York Jewish and African American communities during the 1950s and 1960s, offering a powerful lens into a pivotal era of social change.

This special program invites participants to look beyond the story’s spiritual and communal themes to examine the broader dynamics of Jewish–African American relations in the wake of the civil rights movement. By engaging with history through literature, we’ll open a thoughtful conversation about identity, prejudice, and solidarity—connecting lessons from the past to the challenges and opportunities of today.

Designed for book lovers, lifelong learners, and those passionate about intergroup dialogue, this event aims to foster empathy, mutual understanding, and a renewed sense of partnership between communities.

The Last Dekrepitzer follows Shmuel Meir Lichtbencher, the sole survivor of a Hasidic sect, from his shtetl in Poland to busking in 1960s New York. His journey, through war, exile, love, and music, tells a story of faith, defiance, and survival. The book won the Book Club Award from the National Jewish Book Awards.

Howard Langer grew up on the west side of Man­hat­tan. He grad­u­at­ed from CCNY in 1973. He is a lawyer and has taught law at the Uni­ver­si­ty of Penn­syl­va­nia for the last twen­ty years. He began The The Last Dekrep­tiz­er, his first nov­el and an NJBA win­ner, when he was sev­en­ty. Howard and his wife live in Philadel­phia. He has two adult sons.

Pastor Carl Day is a dynamic Preacher, Pastor, Activist and Organizer committed to lifting underserved and oppressed neighborhoods with practical solutions and gospel-centered hope. His work mobilizes churches, leaders, and everyday neighbors to build safer, thriving communities.

“The Last Dekrepitzer is a nov­el that will sur­prise read­ers with its depth and intro­duce them to one of the more unique char­ac­ters to appear on the con­tem­po­rary Jew­ish lit­er­ary scene.” National Book Council