It’s somewhat recognized, Jews are “people of the book. “It is far less accepted, Jews are also people of the melody. From ancient Temple times--- when the Levites played harps, trumpets and cymbals, or fiddlers on rooftops strummed haunting niggunim (wordless melodies) and more recently in synagogues as articulations of prayer or joy --- music has always held a prominent presence in Jewish culture. Jewish virtuosos, such as Yitzhak Perlman, delight audiences performing classical violin concertos in fancy venues. But none hold a candle to fiddler named Shmuel Meir Lichtbencher, a musical prodigy, in Howard Langer’s heartwarming debut novel, The Last Dekrepitzer.
After the Holocaust ravaged Europe, the Russian Army arrived in Dekrepitz, a shtetel near Poland to witness the annihilation of its Jewish population including the Hasidic Dekrepitzer sect. Its only survivor was Rabbi Shmuel Meir Lichtbencher. Renowned for his musical talent, Shmuel was dispatched to the Moscow Conservatory by a discerning Russian officer who had heard Shmuel’s superb fiddling. Embittered and furious at G-d, Shmuel abandoned his prayers and rituals. His fiddle became a mere instrument for amusement.
Unmoored after the ravages of war Shmuel journeyed throught Europe, ending up in Italy. In Venice, at the docks, he met a few Black American GIs jamming the blues. Shmuel listened attentively to these new sounds, tuned his fiddle and joined them, exhibiting his exceptional talent energetically playing niggunim. Amazed at Shmuel’s fiddling the soldiers spirited him aboard a US-bound troopship. GI Willie Carr adopted Shmuel, took him to his humble family home in Mississippi where he was welcomed by the other Carrs-- an impoverished, black family of chicken farmers.
Renamed Sam Lightup, Shmuel labored indefatigably to improve sales. He introduced the family to “shechite” (ritual butchering). They, in turn, taught him “Black English” and rewarded Shmuel with his own shack. They arranged for Lulu, a Black schoolteacher, to keep house for him. Shmuel had other plans. He converted Lulu to Orthodox Judaism and married her.
Intrigued by Shmuel’s scholastic background, the Carrs enjoined him to tell Bible stories at their church. They loved him. And Shmuel loved the jazzy Brown Sugar Ramblers, a local blues band that entertained at the church. When the band
leader invited Shmuel to join in, to the delight of enthusiastic worshippers, Shmuel, became part of the Black American community.
However, racist America was not quite as accepting of an interracial marriage. The KKK planted a blazing cross on the yard outside Shmuel and Lulu’s shack forcing the couple and their new son, Moses, to flee to NYC. Would life there prove to be better?
Langer’s novel will engage readers with his deft and very funny portrayal of a Hasidic Jew who allies with Black Americans in fear of racial prejudice and the hazardous journey of two courageous folks to escape its evil reach.
