Jødisk Litteraturdag 2026

Discover the latest book in Benjamin Koppel’s bestselling series, a rising German star and much more at Jødisk Litteraturdag.

Join us for a welcoming and thought-provoking afternoon filled with good books and conversation. On Sunday 15 November, Jødisk Kulturfestival is holding its annual literature day, opening the book season with five compelling books offering Jewish perspectives, all published this year.

Look forward to meeting Benjamin Koppel, Daniel Dencik, Dmitrij Kapitelman and Mette Schmidt, as well as Adam Paulsen and Kathrine Tschemerinsky discussing Jean Améry.

The day is hosted by Michael Rachlin, editor of Jødisk Orientering.

The price includes morning coffee, a sandwich for lunch, and coffee and cake in the afternoon.

Soft drinks can be purchased separately. Books will be on sale at favourable prices throughout the day.

We look forward to seeing you!

Please do not bring large bags.

Meet the authors

Benjamin Koppel – Håbets Klang When musician Benjamin Koppel put aside his saxophone in 2022 to make his debut as an author, the family saga Annas Sang became an instant bestseller and won Læsernes Bogpris. Its sequel, Sommerfuglens Stemme, won De Gyldne Laurbær, and now the third instalment, Håbets Klang, is being published, tracing the family’s history from Poland in the 19th century through Denmark in the early 20th century to Denmark in the 1980s. We talk to Koppel about the family’s history and lives across the three major novels.

Daniel Dencik – Kroner og øer Author and film director Daniel Dencik is best known for the novels Anden person ental and Første person flertal. In the short story collection Kroner og øer, he tackles a universal yet taboo subject: money, and how it shapes us and our desires across ages and geographical boundaries – and can ultimately isolate us. Over the years, Dencik has become a more observant Jew, opening the way for a conversation about a double taboo: Jews and money.

Jean Améry – Hinsides skyld og soning Austrian survivor Jean Améry’s (1912-1978) Hinsides skyld og soning was published in Danish for the first time earlier this year and was unanimously hailed by critics as a major work. In a conversation with Kathrine Tschemerinsky of Weekendavisen and the translator, Associate Professor Adam Paulsen (SDU), we take a closer look at what enables Améry to add a new, deeply unsettling dimension to a part of history we think we know.

Dmitrij Kapitelman – Russiske specialiteter (conversation in English) The German-Ukrainian-Jewish author Dmitrij Kapitelman has become a prominent voice in German public debate. In Russiske specialiteter, recently published in Danish, he tells the story of his family, who run a shop selling Russian and Ukrainian specialities in Germany – and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine divides the family when his mother sides with Russia.

Mette Schmidt – Jødedoktoren

Jødedoktoren tells the story of Salomon, a doctor who emigrated from Amsterdam to Copenhagen in the mid-18th century and gained recognition for his understanding of women’s diseases, even though many Copenhagen residents were sceptical about being treated by a Jew. This novel about identity, faith and the costs of assimilation was written by the protagonist’s great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter, journalist Mette Schmidt – her fiction debut.

Practical information Venue: Det Jødiske Hus, Krystalgade 12, København K Date: Sunday 15 November 2026 Time: 12:00-18:00 Jødisk Litteraturdag is organised by Jødisk Kulturfestival and is an annual event held in mid-November.

Photo: Lisbeth Hjort, Paula Winkler, Politikens Forlag, private, Rine Rodin, Sebastian Ottenstein.