Leon Hesser

Leon Hesser is a bestselling author whose works focus on chronicling the immigrant experience in the United States. He has written several books inspired by his own family's story of coming to America, as well as stories of other immigrants. His works have won numerous awards including the Maud Hartley Prize, the San Francisco Chronicle's California Book Award, and the American Library Association's Alex Award.

Hesser was born in 1957 in Corning, New York and attended college at the University of Michigan. He received both his bachelor’s degree in German Literature and master’s degree in English Literature at the University. After college, he worked as a writer in both broadcasting and print media before transitioning to writing full-time. He has been both a writing teacher and workshop leader in the United States and abroad. He continues to tour regularly, conducting lectures and workshops at universities and bookstores.

Hesser’s debut book, The Last Watchman of Old Cairo, was published in 2012. It follows the story of Joseph, a mute watchman at the Ben Ezra synagogue in Cairo. It is an exploration of tradition, faith, and family bonds in the wake of political and social upheaval in the wake of the Arab Spring. It was critically acclaimed and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award.

Hesser’s second book, The Gesture of Others, was released in 2016. It centers around teenager Jonas Kallenborn who, fleeing from Lithuania during World War II, finds himself living with the Laskar family in the Bronx. As Jonas navigates the complexities of a foreign country, he must confront his own trauma and uncertainty about his identity. This book was a finalist for the ALA Alex award, the Maud Hartley Prize, and the California Book Award.

Hesser’s third book, The Story of Yiddish, was published in 2018. It is a comprehensive guide to the language and culture of Yiddish both in its traditional form in Eastern Europe and its more modern manifestations in the United States. It explores the oral histories of Yiddish speaking Holocaust survivors, and offers readers practical lessons in speaking, pronunciation, and writing in the language.

Finally, in 2020 Hesser released the fourth book of his published works, The Lost Letters. It is a poignant look into the correspondence between Aron and Emese Katz, childhood sweethearts separated in the Holocaust who are reunited in Budapest years later. The book was named a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award and the Prix du Livre Inter award.

Hesser’s works have illuminated the nuanced and powerful stories of immigrants in America. His stories are rooted in his own family’s story and show his dedication to preserving and sharing the experiences of his people and all immigrants in the United States. His works of fiction and non-fiction capture the diversity of the immigrant experience and bring to life complex ideas about identity and togetherness. He continues to bring his unique perspective to the literary world and captivate readers with his thoughtful and powerful works.