MONTCLAIR, NJ (March 16, 2026) — On Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m., the Montclair Public Library will be hosting two outstanding journalists in conversation about Jews in the American South. Nicholas Lemann, former dean of Columbia Journalism School and New Yorker staff writer, and Dale Russakoff (“The Prize”), a longtime former reporter for The Washington Post who grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, will be talking about about Lemann’s unusual new family history, “Returning,” in which he traces his Jewish ancestors from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Germany and explores their stories from peddlers to plantation owners (and enslavers), rising to merchants, professionals and even U.S. government advisors. Lemann also grapples with his own issues of identity, assimilation and religious observance in the book.
The program is co-presented by Bnai Keshet, Congregation Shomrei Emunah, Temple Ner Tamid and Temple Sholom of West Essex.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The conversation will be followed by an audience Q&A and signing with Watchung Booksellers. The program is part of Open Book / Open Mind, MPL’s popular, long-running literary conversation series.
Registration is free and required. Register at tinyurl.com/OBOMLemann
“We’re honored to be hosting two such distinguished journalists to explore this important aspect of American history,” says Library Director Radwa Ali. “And at a time when antisemitism is on the rise, we especially welcome collaboration with our Jewish community partners.”
Nicholas Lemann is a longtime staff writer for The New Yorker and dean emeritus of the Columbia Journalism School. He is the author of “The Promised Land,” “The Big Test,” “Redemption,” and “Transaction Man.” He lives in New York City.
“Returning” will be published on March 24. It was excerpted in the February 21 issue of The New Yorker. It is already receiving high praise:
“What does it mean to belong? ‘Returning’ offers a profound meditation on family, Jewish identity, and the meaning of home in a world constantly shaken by economic, social, and cultural change.”― Henry Louis Gates Jr.
“Both an argument for allowing knowledge of the past to inform present decisions, and an exploration of moving away from family and local community into a broader community, [“Returning”] presents provisional answers to questions about the complications of Jewish identity. A thoughtful and deeply personal response to history and religion.― Kirkus Reviews
Dale Russakoff is a veteran reporter who spent 28 years at the Washington Post covering presidential campaigns, education, the economy, and other breaking topics. Her profiles include Washington Post Magazine cover stories on Bill Bradley and Condoleeza Rice and a New Yorker profile of NYC’s welfare commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.Her book, “The Prize: Who’s in Charge of America’s Schools?” was serialized in the New Yorker. Russakoff lives in Montclair and serves as a member of the Open Book / Open Mind advisory committee.
This year Open Book / Open Mind will also feature Ann Patchett (“Whistler”), Christina Baker Kline (“The Foursome”), Tayari Jones (“Kin”), Patrick Radden Keefe (“London Falling”), Michael Luo (“Strangers in the Land”), Daniel Okrent (“Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy”) and Heather McGhee (“The Sum of Us”).
The Open Book / Open Mind series is presented by the Montclair Public Library with the generous support of The Montclair Public Library Foundation, Watchung Booksellers, Anonymous, Dr. Alex and Doris Malaspina, David and Mary Lee Jones, and our individual Underwriters, the First Congregational Church, Amanti Vino and The George Montclair.
About the Montclair Public Library
Founded in 1893, the Montclair Public Library serves the residents of Montclair, New Jersey. It has two facilities: the Main Library at 50 South Fullerton Avenue (open seven days a week) and the Bellevue Avenue Branch at 185 Bellevue Avenue (open six days a week). In 2025, the Library saw 196,000 visits; circulated 393,000 items including books, eBooks, movies, Wi-Fi hotspots, museum passes, tools, and recreational objects; and welcomed more than 32,000 participants in a wide variety of programs that reflect Montclair’s energy and diversity. Visit montclairlibrary.org for hours of operation and current services.
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CONTACT
Ariel Zeitlin, Programming Librarian
Montclair Public Library
publicrelations@montclairlibrary.org
973-744-0500, x3020